Astronomical Unit and Light Years

Front

Why do we use light years and astronomical units to measure distances in space?

Back

Space is too big, vast, enormous to use traditional units, like miles or kilometres.

Front

What is a Light Year?

Back

The distance travelled by light in a year.

Front

What is an Astronomical Unit?

Back

The average distance between Earth and the Sun.

Front

1 light year = ?

Back

9.5 x 10^12 km.

Front

Light Years are a measure of:

Back

Distance.

Front

What is the speed of light?

Back

Approximately 299,792 kilometers per second.

Front

How many kilometers are in one Astronomical Unit?

Back

About 149.6 million kilometers.

Front

What is the significance of using light years in astronomy?

Back

It allows astronomers to express vast distances in a more manageable way.

Front

What is the relationship between light years and distance?

Back

Light years measure how far light travels in one year, indicating vast distances in space.

Front

Why can't we use kilometers to measure distances in space?

Back

Because space distances are so large that kilometers would result in impractically large numbers.