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Chapter 14: Problem 24

How can astronomers distinguish a faint solar system object like Pluto from background stars within the same field of view?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Astronomers can distinguish Pluto from background stars in the same field of view by observing its proper motion. This is the apparent motion of Pluto against the background of steadier, distant stars, discernable when comparing stellar observations made at different times.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Positioning of Celestial Bodies

To understand this better, imagine a snapshot of the sky one night, and then another snapshot after some time has passed, be it weeks or months later. In these two snapshots, Pluto's position will change relative to the stars in the background, given it is closer to us and orbits the Sun.
02

Observation of Motion

Astronomers will then observe this motion. The motion is termed 'proper motion', a motion of a celestial body across the line of sight of the observer, distinct from the object's radial velocity (motion towards or away from the observer), its parallax (apparent change in position due to the observer moving) or its change in distance due to cosmic expansion.
03

Identify Pluto

By comparing images taken at different times, astronomers can identify which object is Pluto because it moves against the background stars. This process is not instantaneous, and sometimes it takes more than one night of observation to identify celestial bodies like Pluto. However, once Pluto's motion has been charted, astronomers can predict where it will be in the night sky and distinguish it from stars.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Make arrangements to view Uranus through a telescope. The planet is best seen at or near opposition. Use a star chart at the telescope to find the planet. Are you certain that you have found Uranus? Can you see a disk? What is its color?

Briefly describe the evidence supporting the idea that Uranus was struck by a large planetlike object several billion years ago.

Could astronomers in antiquity have seen Uranus? If so, why was it not recognized as a planet?

How do the orientations of Uranus's and Neptune's magnetic axes differ from those of other planets?

Are there any trans-Neptunian objects that are not members of the Kuiper belt? Are there any members of the Kuiper belt that are not trans-Neptunian objects? Explain.
See all solutions

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