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Scientists don't measure the distance light travels in one year. They calculate it by measuring the speed of light. The speed is 300,000,000 meters/sec. and can be measured in the laboratory with a rotating mirror apparatus. To get the distance traveled by light in one year you multiply the speed (above) by the number of seconds in a year. The answer will come out in meters and is also called one light year.

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What is a light year and why do scientist use it?

A light year is a measure of how far light can travel in one year. It is a phenomenal distance, and is used to describe how far away stars are from us.


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Is a light year measured in distance?

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