Astrophysics > Determining Distance
Photometric measurements can be used for determining distance and comparing objects
Students learn to:
- define absolute and apparent magnitude
- explain how the concept of magnitude can be used to determine the distance to a celestial object
- outline spectroscopic parallax
- explain how two-colour values (eg colour index, B-V) are obtained and why they are useful
- describe the advantages of photoelectric technologies over photographic methods for photometry
Students:
- solve problems and analyse information using:
to calculate the absolute or apparent magnitude of stars using data and a reference star - perform an investigation to demonstrate the use of filters for photometric measurements
- identify data sources, gather, process and present information to assess the impact of improvements in measurement technologies on our understanding of celestial objects
Extract from Physics Stage 6 Syllabus (Amended October 2002). © 2009, Board of Studies NSW.