The actual distance of Regulus from Earth is 23.81 parsecs.
Given:
Parallax of Regulus, p = 0.042 arc seconds
Calculation:
When an observer changes their position, an apparent change in the object's position takes place. This change can be calculated using the angle ( or semi-angle) made by the observer and object i.e. the angle made between the two lines of observation from the object to the observer.
Thus from the relation of parallax of a celestial body we get:
S = 1/ tan p ≈ 1 / p
where S is the actual distance between the object and the observer
p is the parallax angle observed
Here for Regulus, we get:
S = 1 / p
= 1 / (0.042) [ 1 parsecs = 1 arcseconds ]
= 23.81 parsecs
We know that,
1 parsecs = 3.26 light-years = 206,000 AU
Converting the actual distance into light years we get:
23.81 parsecs = 23.81 × (3.26 light yrs) = 77.658 light-years
Therefore, the actual distance of Regulus from Earth is 23.81 parsecs which is 77.658 in light years.
Learn more about astronomical units here:
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