Question

How many astronomical units are in a light year?

Asked by: Justin Dopiriak

Answer

A good approximation would be:

1 light-year = 63240 AU (astronomical units)

Just for information, 1 light-year is equivalent to the distance travelled by light in 1 year moving in a vacuum. 1 light-year is about 9.4607 * 1015 metres.

1 astronomical unit (AU) is equivalent to the average radius of the Earth's orbit. 1 AU is about 1.4960 * 1011 metres.

Simple arithmetic calculation yields the answer that 1 light-year = 63240 AU to a good approximation.

Answered by: Ryan Leong, Undergraduate, NUS, Singapore

Search

Loading



Sponsors

USC University of Southern California Dornsife College Physics and Astronomy Department McMaster University Physics and Astronomy Department

Science Quote

'I have deep faith that the principle of the universe will be beautiful and simple.'

Albert Einstein
(1879-1955)

Deal of the Day

Image of Erector SpaceChaos - Dark Pirates. Click on this image for more info. Erector SpaceChaos - Dark Pirates
Regular Price: $29.99
Today's Price: $16.00
Build your own Dark Pirates space ship with this cool Erector mechanics set. Buy it now! Deal ends at midnight!

Top Selling

Here are our physics & astronomy bestsellers:
Solar Science Kit
Mini Plasma Ball
Deluxe 3D Mirascope
Revolving Multi-Color Fiberoptic Light
Deluxe Water Rocket Set
Magnetic Levitator - Classic
Solar System Planetarium 4M Kit
Ultimate Chemistry Set CHEM C3000 v2.0
Worlds Strongest Magnets
Blue Fiber Optic Light