Sort of shows you how difficult it would be to see earth like planets round other stars
2006-08-22 21:17:06 · 11 answers · asked by bwadsp 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
4.5 light years is about 280,000 times as far as the Sun is from Earth now, so to see it as the same size at that distance would require 280,000 times magnification. Of course the Sun could look 10 or 20 times smaller and still be seen as a disk, so 14,000 to 28,000 times magnification would be enough.
2006-08-23 01:50:52 · answer #1 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't truly magnify the image of a star. At some point that star cease to have a physical shape and simply become an emination of photons going off in all directions.
It is theoritically possible to measure minute variations in photonic content and if this occurs on a regular basis you can make broad assumption that something is "eclipsing" the star. It may also be possible at some future time to measure the direction of travel of the photons and look for variations, which would indicate a small gravity well. When the Earth eclipses the sun photons along the edge "seem" to bend due to passing the gravity of the Earth, but this bend is very small.
2006-08-23 10:42:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A star (same size as our sun at 4.5 light years) from a ground based observatory photograph might be about 1mm diameter on the actual photo.
You could magnify the image 20x and it will appear as a disc 20mm diameter.
2006-08-23 05:47:18 · answer #3 · answered by philturner66 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would depend on quite a few factors such as how big a disc you mean + is your telescope (if that is what you are using) situated on top of Mt Everest + is it very cloudy + have you had your eyes checked at Specsavers lately, the list goes on but I can't because of an urgent appointment to see the psychiatrist!
2006-08-23 08:13:51 · answer #4 · answered by Polo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might be possible to configure a formula to solve the question but it would almost seem endless formula to solve the equation .
And also why disrespect the guy for asking a question just goes to show ya there's alot of p-ricks in the world and half of em are here on yahoo answers.
2006-08-23 04:33:25 · answer #5 · answered by Big-E 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope you aren't a scientist who has worked everyday for 50 years to figure this out! That's just laziness
2006-08-23 04:35:25 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are you the same guy thought couldnt decied to take your lady friend to mcdonalds or burger king ?
2006-08-23 04:21:49 · answer #7 · answered by Diane26 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i dont think theres a number high enough chap!
2006-08-23 04:20:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
twice !
I take it your not married nor have a girlfriend !
2006-08-23 04:22:52 · answer #9 · answered by stdaveuk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you would have to be looking at Sirius that's about 4.5xC.
2006-08-23 17:47:50 · answer #10 · answered by magicMcArthur 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋