Difference between revisions of "Light-time"

From Marspedia
Jump to: navigation, search
 
(2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 22: Line 22:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1 Light-year
 
|1 Light-year
|<math>1.7987\times10^{15}\mathsf{m}</math>
+
|<math>9.4607\times10^{15}\mathsf{m}</math>
 
|<math>5.8786\times10^{12}\mathsf{mi}</math>
 
|<math>5.8786\times10^{12}\mathsf{mi}</math>
 
|63000 AU
 
|63000 AU
 
|}
 
|}
 +
For Mars, light time translates into communication times.  For example, it could be said that at its closest Mars is about 4 minutes away from Earth, while at maximum separation it is about 20 minutes away.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />

Latest revision as of 08:18, 27 October 2020

Light-time is the product of the speed of light in a vacuum and time it takes light to travel a certain distance in space. It is most commonly used in light-years to calculate interstellar distances.[1]

Common units of light-time

The light-second, light-minute, and light-year are the most common light-time units used.

Common units of light-time
Unit Meters Miles Astronomical Units
1 Light-second 0.0020 AU
1 Light-minute 0.12 AU
1 Light-year 63000 AU

For Mars, light time translates into communication times. For example, it could be said that at its closest Mars is about 4 minutes away from Earth, while at maximum separation it is about 20 minutes away.

References

  1. “Light-Time.” n.d. In Marriam-Webster Dictionary.