How can I use a parallax to measure distance?

Lumencraft (Matt)

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Hello all,

I was just wandering if someone could walk me through a parallax. I understand what it is basically, and I don't need to measure distances in space. What I do want to be able to do is use a parallax to measure distance in a controlled environment like for a model of the earth and a couple of stars or somthing. I know to do this I will need to view the object being measured from two different angles but after that I have no clue. Any suggestions are appreciated.
 
The easiest way is to pick a spot and move at a right angle from you target for a given distance. The greater the distance the better. Then measure the angled formed by this base line and the target. With one angle and a side it is a simple trig problem This and a set of tables will give you all you need.
If you can move far enough and force angles of 30, 45, or 60 degrees you don't even need the table. (45 makes it trivial)

There's a bit more involved if you do it the way it is done in astronomy but that can be reduced to one triangle.
 

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