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Why don't astronomers measure distances in space by the speed of sound rather than the speed of light?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Astronomers don't use the speed of sound as a basis for measuring distances for a number of reason, but mainly because the distances being measured are quite large. The speed of light (300000000 m/s) is about six times faster than the speed of sound (~343 m/s), making it a better unit of measure.
Consider this: Alpha Centauri A and B, which is the closest star system to us, are about 4.1154e+16 meters away. In light years, this is equal to about 4.35 light years away. If you were to measure this distance by using a unit of measure based on the distanced travelled by the speed of sound in one year, it would be equal to about 3.80e+6 "sound years".
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThe speed of light in a vacuum is a universal constant, and it is, as far as we know, the highest speed at which anything can travel.
Problems with sound:
- Its speed is dependent on the medium. (So is light, if it goes through materials, but the speed of light in vacuum is used.)
- It is much slower than the speed of light - almost a million times slower. That makes the figures hard to grasp.
So, specifying the speed of sound would look something like this: "To travel to Rigil Kentaurus, assuming that we have a continuous atmosphere from here to there, at normal pressure and temperature, it would take sound some 4 million years." Instead of the 4.3 years it takes a wave of light, under real conditions, as opposed to the very ficticious conditions mentioned.
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Why is the light year a useful unit for measure distances to stars?
Because it is a large number, suitable for large distances. Astronomers also like to use the unit Parsec.
Why do we measure the movement of stars?
Parallax is the apparent change in position of an object when you look at it from different angles. Astronomers often us parallax to measure distances to nearby stars. This method can be used to determine stars' distances up to 400 light-years from Earth.
The unit to measure distances between stars is in?
Light years or parsecs
How a light year is a measure of distance AND why it is necessary to use light years as a unit of measure?
1. We know how fast light travels, therefore in 1 year it must travel a fixed distance. For this purpose astronomers use the Julian year of 365.25 days, making a light year 9.460730473 times 10 to the power 15 metres.. 2. It is used as a unit of distance to describe distances of stars and galaxies, mainly because to express these distances in kilometres would give unmanageably large numbers.
What unit is used to measure distances beyond your solar system?
Light-Years
What unit of distance do astronomers use to measure distances to stars?
Usually light-years, or parsecs.
What is a Long unit of measure for great distances?
The parsec is 3.26 light years. Astronomers measure distances to remote galaxies in megaparsecs--millions of parsecs. This is about the longest commonly used length metric.
Why is the light year a useful unit for measure distances to stars?
Because it is a large number, suitable for large distances. Astronomers also like to use the unit Parsec.
What is used to measure space?
Units of volume are. For big distances, astronomers use "light years" and "parsecs". A light year is the distance that light travels through space in one year.
What do ostranamas measure in light year?
Never heard of ostranamas, but astronomers use light years to measure distances in space. A light year is the distance that light can travel (in a vacuum( in a year and is slightly less than 2.4 trillion kilometres.
What are the distances to stars measured in?
Astronomers typically measure distances in parsecs. One parsec is the distance of a hypothetical star having a parallax of 1 second of arc; it's about 3.2 light years.
Why do we measure the movement of stars?
Parallax is the apparent change in position of an object when you look at it from different angles. Astronomers often us parallax to measure distances to nearby stars. This method can be used to determine stars' distances up to 400 light-years from Earth.
What do astronomers use measure to distances to nearby stars?
Two units that are commonly used are:* Parsecs (among professional astronomers) * Light-years (in popular astronomy) A light-year is about 9.5 million million kilometers. A parsec is about 3.26 light-years.
Define light year and explain its value in astronomy?
A light-year is the distance light travels in a year - equivalent to almos 10 million million (or 1013) kilometers. In popular astronomy, distances to stars or galaxies are often stated in light-years; although astronomers often prefer another measure, the parsec, equivalent to about 3.26 light-years.A light-year is the distance light travels in a year - equivalent to almos 10 million million (or 1013) kilometers. In popular astronomy, distances to stars or galaxies are often stated in light-years; although astronomers often prefer another measure, the parsec, equivalent to about 3.26 light-years.A light-year is the distance light travels in a year - equivalent to almos 10 million million (or 1013) kilometers. In popular astronomy, distances to stars or galaxies are often stated in light-years; although astronomers often prefer another measure, the parsec, equivalent to about 3.26 light-years.A light-year is the distance light travels in a year - equivalent to almos 10 million million (or 1013) kilometers. In popular astronomy, distances to stars or galaxies are often stated in light-years; although astronomers often prefer another measure, the parsec, equivalent to about 3.26 light-years.
How can you measure distances in space and how accurate are they?
We can measure distances in space in light years...1 light year is equal to the distance light travels in 1 year.They are very accurate...............
What are the units called that measure distances to stars?
They measure them in light-years.
Why is star distances measured in light year?
because the stars are very far away so the astronomers use light years
