For Researchers · Stellar Parallax
Stellar Parallax for a satellite orbit
Built for researchers prototyping or validating an idea. Prototype fast, reproduce exactly, and share a citable, interactive version of your model. Simulate a satellite orbit live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.
Stellar ParallaxLive
the first rung of the distance ladder
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Presets
As Earth orbits the Sun, a nearby star appears to shift against the distant background. Half that annual shift is the parallax angle p, and distance in parsecs is simply 1/p (with p in arcseconds). One parsec is the distance giving a one-arcsecond parallax.
Data Inspector
Distance10.0 pc
Light years32.6 ly
Parallax0.100″
Governing equation
Reading this result: A parallax of 0.100″ puts this star 10.0 pc (32.6 ly) away — because distance is 1/p, halving the angle would double the distance, so the tiniest angles mark the most distant stars.
Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is this good for researchers?
- Yes — this version of "Stellar Parallax for a satellite orbit" is framed for researchers prototyping or validating an idea. Prototype fast, reproduce exactly, and share a citable, interactive version of your model.
- Do I need to install anything?
- No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.