parallax
/ˈpær.ə.læks/
Definition
The apparent shift or displacement of an object's position against a background when viewed from two different vantage points.
Etymology
The word derives from the Greek 'parallaxis,' meaning 'alternation' or 'change.' It entered Middle French and eventually Latin before appearing in English in the 17th century to describe the geometric effect of observation points.
In the news
Although the word 'parallax' does not explicitly appear in this article, it is a fundamental scientific concept relevant to the remote sensing data collection and planetary navigation techniques that students practiced during the ROADS mission challenge. Understanding how position affects perspective is essential for the robotic rover missions and geological analysis performed by students in the program.
Northwest Earth and Space Science Pathways Project Celebrates Student Innovation Through ROADS from Earth to Venus National Challenge
Read the full article ↗NASA Science (.gov)