Science

Stars and the Solar System

Question:

Why is the distance between stars expressed in light years? What do you understand by the statement that a star is eight light years away from the Earth?

Answer:

The distance of the stars from the Earth and the distance between the stars are very large. It is inconvenient to express these distances in kilometer (km). Thus, these large distances are expressed in light years. One light year is the distance travelled by light in one year. One light year is equal to 9.46 * 1012 km. A star is located eight light years away from the Earth. This means that the distance between the star and the Earth is equivalent to the distance travelled by light in eight years, i.e., a star is located 8 * (9.46 * 1012) = 7.6 * 1013 km away from the Earth.
previuos
next

Stars and the Solar System

Q 1.

Boojho made the following sketch of the solar system. Is the sketch correct? If not correct it.

Q 2.

Name the largest planet of the solar system.

Q 3.

Name two objects other than planets which are members of the solar system.

Q 4.

Draw sketches to show the relative position of prominent stars in (a) Ursa Major and (b) Orion

Q 5.

In which part of the sky can you find Venus if it is visible as an evening star?

Q 6.

What is a constellation? Name any two constellations.

Q 7.

Do all the stars in the sky move? Explain.

Q 8.

Explain how you can locate the Pole Star with the help of Ursa Major.

Q 9.

Why is the distance between stars expressed in light years? What do you understand by the statement that a star is eight light years away from the Earth?