Test #2: Light years and astronomical units Flashcards
1
Q
The Astronomical Unit:
A
The astronomical unit is equal to the average distance between the Earth and the Sun. So 1 AU = 150 million km. This unit is used to measure distances within the solar system.
1 AU = 150 000 000 km
2
Q
The Light Year:
A
The light year is equal to the distance travelled by light in one year. So, 1 ly = 9 460 Billion km. This was developed to measure big distances outside of the solar system.
1 LY = 9 460 000 000 000 km
