Do astronomers still use stellar parallax?

Question

Or is this an old method that is not used anymore. You would think it is due to the use of spectrometers.

Answer 1

Yes. Parallax is still the only way to physically measure the distance to a star. All other measurements are inferred based on assumed properties, so accurate parallax measurements are essential as the first rung in the "distance ladder", to calibrate the other measurement methods. Because of the uncertainties created by atmospheric distortion, parallax measurements are now done from orbiting telescopes specially designed for the purpose. The last one was the Hipparcos satellite launched in 1989. The next one, Gaia, is scheduled for launch in 2011.Gaia will have enough precision to give us good distance measurements through much of our galaxy.

Answer 2

Of course they do.  Its the most accurate method.  Simple geometry.  Unfortunately its only useful for the closer stars. Every other method involves progressively more approximate values.  Spectroscopes  only tell you what the star is made of, not its distance.  

Answer 3

  It can only be used for the nearest stars 4 light years away.

Answer 4

Still do.

Answer 5

How does a spectrometer help?

Yes we do still use parallax.

The Hipparcos satellite survey a lot of the sky and updated parallax measurements.

We only use parallax for close by stars (within a few hundred light years) - but it is the most reliable method of distance determination for close by stars and is the first step on the Cosmic Distance Ladder

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmic_dist...

for more distant stars and galaxies

Answer 6

of course. it is fundamental to all other distance measurements.

the hipparcos mission angela mentioned was state of the art for stellar parallax, and the upcoming gaia mission will build on what hipparcos did. gaia will be able to measure parallax out to the magellanic clouds, which will signficantly refine our distance scales.

Answer 7

Yes. they still use stellar parallax. but less.

Andromeda

http://space-and-times.blogspot.com