Cosmic Distance Ladder Lab

The NAAP Cosmic Distance Ladder lab introduces a few of the primary methods used by astronomers to determine astronomical distances. Parallax is introduced first, specroscopic parallax, main sequence fitting, variable stars, and supernova are all discussed.

First time users of NAAP materials should read the NAAP Modules – General Overview page.

Cosmic Distance Ladder Student Guide (pdf)

• Radar Ranging
• Parallax Background →  Parallax Explorer (swf)
• Distance Modulus
• Spectroscopic Parallax →  Spectroscopic Parallax Simulator (swf)
• Main Sequence Fitting →  Cluster Fitting Explorer (swf)
• Cepheids
• Supernovae →  Supernova Light Curve Fitting Explorer (swf)
• Hubble's Law
• Summation