1. What is a Parallax Angle Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the parallax angle (θ) based on the baseline distance between observation points (b) and the distance to the object (d).

Purpose: It helps astronomers, photographers, and 3D imaging professionals determine the apparent shift in an object's position when viewed from different angles.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \theta \) — Parallax angle (degrees)
• \( b \) — Baseline distance between observation points (meters)
• \( d \) — Distance to the object (meters)

Explanation: The arctangent of the ratio between baseline and distance gives the parallax angle in radians, which is then converted to degrees.

3. Importance of Parallax Angle Calculation

Details: Accurate parallax angle measurement is crucial for distance determination in astronomy, stereo photography, and computer vision applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the baseline distance between observation points and the distance to the object. Both values must be positive numbers in meters.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is parallax used for in astronomy?
A: Astronomers use stellar parallax to measure distances to nearby stars by observing their apparent movement against distant background stars.

Q2: What's a typical baseline for astronomical measurements?
A: For nearby stars, astronomers often use Earth's orbital diameter (2 AU ≈ 300 million km) as the baseline.

Q3: How does this relate to 3D photography?
A: In stereo photography, the parallax angle determines the perceived depth, with the baseline being the distance between the two camera lenses.

Q4: Why is the result in degrees?
A: Degrees are more intuitive for most users than radians, though the calculation is done in radians internally.

Q5: What's the maximum possible parallax angle?
A: The theoretical maximum is 90° when the baseline equals the distance (d = b), but in practice angles are much smaller.