Sky science
Stellar Parallax
Direct answer
Stellar Parallax is the apparent annual shift of a nearby star against distant background objects as Earth changes orbital position.
It is an annual geometric distance signal.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Related
- Astronomical Nutation, Annual Aberration, Proper Motion, Radial Velocity
It is an annual geometric distance signal.
A scientific orientation to scale, light, or motion; the article supplies the precise definition.
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The story behind Stellar Parallax
The first reliable stellar parallaxes were measured in the nineteenth century.
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Why Stellar Parallax matters
Stellar Parallax provides a direct rung of the astronomical distance ladder.
Stellar Parallax in practice: an example
A parallax of one arcsecond corresponds to a distance of one parsec.
Where readings of Stellar Parallax go wrong
It is a mistake to confuse parallax with proper motion or annual aberration.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- U.S. Naval Observatory: Astronomical Almanac Glossary - Definitions for astronomical coordinates, time, reference systems, and observable phenomena.
- NASA Science: Stars - NASA overview of stellar birth, main-sequence evolution, giant phases, remnants, and supernovae.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
Measure distance through Earth’s orbit
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Common questions
What is Stellar Parallax?
Stellar Parallax is the apparent annual shift of a nearby star against distant background objects as Earth changes orbital position.
What do people get wrong about Stellar Parallax?
It is a mistake to confuse parallax with proper motion or annual aberration.
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