Entity: LIGHT-YEAR
A light-year is a unit of length in astronomy that represents the distance light travels in one year in a vacuum, approximately 5.88 trillion miles or 9.46 trillion kilometers.
LIGHT-YEAR
Etymology
The term 'light-year' is derived from the combination of 'light' and 'year', indicating the distance light travels in a year.
Definition
A light-year is a unit of length in astronomy equal to the distance that light travels in one year in a vacuum, approximately 5.88 trillion miles or 9.46 trillion kilometers.
Historical Context
The concept of a light-year emerged as a crucial measurement in astronomy to express vast interstellar distances accurately.
Cultural Significance
Light-years are commonly used in science fiction to describe the immense distances between celestial bodies and in popular culture to convey the idea of vastness.
Related Concepts
Other related concepts include parsec, astronomical unit, and light-minute.
See Also
A light-year is a unit of length in astronomy equal to the distance that light travels in one year in a vacuum, approximately 5.88 trillion miles or 9.46 trillion kilometers.