Astronomical Distance Scale

The Astronomical Distance Scale is a way to measure vast distances in space, helping us understand how far celestial objects are from Earth. These measurements are often expressed in units like kilometers, miles, or light-years—the distance light travels in a year. Given the immense scales involved, astronomers use techniques such as parallax (the apparent shift of an object against distant background stars), standard candles (objects of known brightness), and redshift (how light stretches in expanding space) to gauge distances. This scale helps us appreciate the size of the universe and our place within it.