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Glite Dictionary
solar parallax

solar parallax

9.9
The angle of Earth's size seen from the distance between Earth and the Sun used to measure solar system distances
  • noun
  • /ˈsoʊlər ˈpærəˌlæks/
  • Specialized
translation icon : paralaje solar
  • Astronomers use the solar parallax to calculate the distance from Earth to the Sun.

Examples

  • Measuring solar parallax was historically important for understanding the size of the solar system.

  • The value of the solar parallax was revised after new observations were made.

  • The solar parallax helps astronomers calculate distances.

  • Can you explain what solar parallax is?

  • Astronomers use the solar parallax to calculate the distance from Earth to the Sun.

  • Measuring solar parallax was historically important for understanding the size of the solar system.

  • The value of the solar parallax was revised after new observations were made.

Surface Forms

solar parallax singular
solar parallaxes plural

Morphology

solar + parallax

This is a straightforward adjective–noun composition: 'solar' (relating to the sun) modifies 'parallax' (apparent displacement), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a parallax associated with the sun or the solar system. The precise technical definition (a specific astronomical angle used for distance measurement) is specialized, but the basic compositional meaning is transparent.

Etymology

Solar parallax combines solar, meaning the Sun, and parallax, meaning a small shift you see when you look from two places. Imagine you hold a finger at arm's length and close one eye, then the other; the finger looks like it moves — that move is a 'parallax'. So solar parallax is the tiny angle made by that shift and it helps astronomers measure the Sun's 'distance'.