Use in astronomy Light-second
the yellow shell indicating 1 light-day distance sun compares in size positions of voyager 1 , pioneer 10 (red , green arrows respectively). larger heliosphere s termination shock (blue shell) smaller comet hale-bopp s orbit (faint orange ellipse below). click on image larger view , links other scales.
the faint yellow sphere centred on sun has radius of 1 light-minute. comparison, sizes of rigel (the blue star in top left) , aldebaran (the red star in top right) shown scale. large yellow ellipse represents mercury s orbit.
the light-second convenient unit measuring distances in inner solar system, because corresponds closely radiometric data used determine them (the match not exact earth-based observer because of small correction effects of relativity). value of astronomical unit (roughly distance earth sun) in light seconds fundamental measurement calculation of modern ephemerides (tables of planetary positions): quoted light-time unit distance in tables of astronomical constants, , accepted value 499.004786385(20) s.
the mean diameter of earth 0.0425 light-seconds.
the average distance earth moon 1.282 light-seconds.
the diameter of sun 4.643 light-seconds.
the average distance earth sun 499.0 light-seconds.
multiples of light-second can defined, although apart light-year more used in popular science publications in research works. example, light-minute 60 light-seconds , average distance earth sun 8.317 light-minutes.
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