Parallax Teacher Resources

Parallax is the apparent change of an object determined by the line of sight. Sal defines the concept of parallax and applies it to how we determine the relative distance between us and nearby stars. He draws a diagram to illustrate what...

As a follow-up to the Khan Academy video on parallax, this video focuses on parallax as it relates to astronomical distance. Sal uses cardinal directions and the seasons to help students orient themselves in the proverbial night sky....

A short clarification begins where the last video on stellar distance left off. It intends to clarify the trigonometry involved in using Parallax to determine stellar distance. The instructor uses the equations from the previous video to...

Scientists don't have a ruler long enough to measure to the stars, so they rely on math. Scholars learn to calculate the distance from Earth to a star using the parallax method. They use angle measures from different perspectives to...

How are scientists able to measure distances between stellar bodies? Turns out it's not very easy! Learners explore the process of trigonometric parallax as the method of determining these distances. They experience the same challenges...

What is a parsec? Sal's video explains that a parsec is 3.26 light years and that the word itself can be broken down into "par" (meaning parallax) and "sec" (meaning one arc second). He uses illustrations, diagrams, and trigonometric...

In this parallax effect worksheet, students observe 2 photographs taken of an active area of the sun by 2 STEREO satellites and 1 photograph taken of the same active area of the sun by the SOHO satellite. Students observe the shift in...

How can you determine the distance between two objects when one is incredibly far away? Discover how early astronomers and mathematicians calculated quantities such as the distance between Earth and the Sun in an insightful video. The...

Learners measure distances using parallax. In this math lesson, students explain how this method helped astronomers with their studies of the solar system. They determine the length of their arm using parallax and compare it with other...

Students address a major misconception in astronomy, the understanding of scale. The lesson is designed to introduce students to both celestial coordinates and to the first rung on the distance determination ladder, parallax.

Students examine the concept of parallax. They determine a method to calculate the distance of objects from their data, participate in a demonstration, and describe how our eyes use parallax to determine the distance of objects.

Students study parallax and what it is used for.  In this distance instructional activity students complete an activity that allows students to get experience using a parallax.

Students will determine distances to nearby stars using parallax. In this Astronomy lesson plan, students will use a web program, trigonometry, and sketches to determine the distance of stars.

Students explore the idea of parallax. For this astronomy lesson, students study the distances of stars. They investigate how parallax can be used to determine these distances.

In this astronomy learning exercise, students participate in an activity using the parallax effect to measure star distances. They record their information in a data table then complete 5 fill in the blank conclusion questions.

Students, in groups, devise alternative ways of measuring distances. They view a video and are introduced to the concept of parallax in measuring. They discuss their ideas with the class.

Students investigate the movements of the planet Pluto. Students participate in a hands-on activity to record data similar to the movements of the planet Pluto. Students compare their data to that found on a website.

You matter, unless you multiply yourself by the speed of light ... then you energy. Presentation covers the behavior of light as both a wave and a particle, light versus sound, space travel, why objects have colors, depth perception,...

Young scholars examine the distance from Earth to stars. They create a model to show the arrangement of constellations. They also identify the importance of the parallax effect.

Students examine parallax and angular measurements.  In this investigative instructional activity students calculate distances of objects and map their results.

Sword duels, religious unrest, war—who says science is boring? Aspiring astronomers discover fascinating facts about the famous scientists that dared challenge the accepted model of the solar system in the 13th video of a 16-part History...

Students examine how astronomers use parallax to determine the distances of stars in the Sun's neighborhood. They construct a pinhole protractor, and measure angles and calculate distances.

Students discover how astronomers used the diameter of the Earth's orbit around the Sun as a baseline for estimating the distance of some stars, and the meaning of "Parsec" and "light year."

Students are introduced to both celestial coordinates and to the first rung on the distance determination ladder. They convert spherical coordinates to Cartesian coordinates to construct a three dimensional model of a constellation...