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How can you measure distances across space?

ManifestDragon
in Astronomy and Cosmology

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What I mean is how did scientists figure out the width of our galaxy (in light-years) or how far away Proxima Centauri is? Thanks. 

17 minutes ago, ManifestDragon said:

What I mean is how did scientists figure out the width of our galaxy (in light-years) or how far away Proxima Centauri is? Thanks. 

Measuring distances to stars is simple....stellar parallax. Measure its position tonight, then again in 6 months time. More distant objects such as galaxies are measured using Ceipeid Variables and type 1a Supernova, which are at a known brightness.

 

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