Part A Estimate the diameter of the supergiant star Betelgeuse, using its angula
ID: 2290074 • Letter: P
Question
Part A
Estimate the diameter of the supergiant star Betelgeuse, using its angular diameter of about 0.05 arcsecond and distance of about 600 light-years. Express your answer to three significant figures and include the appropriate units.
DBetelgeuse =
Part B
Compare your answer to the size of our Sun. The diameter of the Sun is 1.39 million km. Express your answer using three significant figures.
DBetelgeuse / DSun =
Part C
Compare your answer to the average Earth-Sun distance. Express your answer using two significant figures. DBetelgeused / Sun?Earth =
Explanation / Answer
1) angle (in rad) = d/D where d = diameter and D = distance. Those both have to be in the same units, so either convert 600 light years to km before solving, or convert d to km after solving.
0.05 arcsec (in rad) = d in light years/600 light years
or
0.05 arcsec (in rad) = d in km/600 light years in km
one light year - 9.4605284x10^12kms
2.42e-7*5676*e12 = d
d= 13735.92e5
2) 13735.92e5/(1.39*10^6) = 988.19
c)