how is Pythagoras's theorem used in astronomy?

Question

I know what it is from asking in here , now i'm just wondering how astronomers use it in the astronomy world?

Answer 1

The Pythagorean Theorem forms the basis for trigonometry, which in turn forms the basis for things like vector calculations and geometric ratios, which are used in all sorts of applications (orbital mechanics, telescope construction, trajectory predictions, design of just about anything) etc.

Answer 2

I can't think of a specific application in which astronomers use the Pythagorean theorem directly but there is not doubt that his influence was extremely important to the development of science and mathematics. He basically came up with the idea that the world could be understood through mathematics.

That was a starting point for many other great scientists and mathematicians as math is very useful in measurement.

Today, astronomers measure distance by observing stellar (stars) parallax.

Parallax, or more accurately motion parallax is the change of angular position of two stationary points relative to each other as seen by an observer, caused by the motion of an observer. Simply put, it is the apparent shift of an object against a background caused by a change in observer position. If there is no parallax between two objects then they are side by side at the exact same height.

By observing parallax, measuring angles and using geometry, one can determine the distance to various objects. This, in turn allows scientists to determine size and other important details of objects in space.

Answer 3

It is used in parallax, or as in the past, to figure out diameter of the Earth by the means of shadows cast in 2 different places of the Earth.