Why Can Astronomers Not Measure the Diameters of Stars Directly

question 20

Multiple Choice

Why can astronomers not measure the diameters of stars directly?

• A) stars are so bright, their light burns out all the delicate instruments we would use to measure their diameters
• B) all stars change their diameters regularly, growing alternately larger and smaller
• C) stars are so far away, we cannot resolve (distinguish) their diameters
• D) stars are all in binary systems, and we can only see the combined diameter of both stars
• E) you can't fool me; measuring the diameter of any star is a relatively easy process

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