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Term: Light Year

Description

The term "light year" is a unit of distance used in astronomy, representing the distance that light travels in one year in a vacuum. It is used to measure vast distances in the universe, as the speed of light is the fastest known in the universe.

Senses and Usages

Sense 1: Astronomical Distance

In astronomy, a light year is used to measure the distance traveled by light in one year. It is approximately 5.88 trillion miles or 9.46 trillion kilometers.

Example Sentence: The nearest star to Earth, Proxima Centauri, is located approximately 4.24 light years away.

Sense 2: Concept of Time

Light year is also used to symbolize the vastness of time or the duration it takes for light to travel a year. It emphasizes the immense timescales within the universe.

Example Sentence: Exploring the deep reaches of space, scientists encounter light that has traveled millions or even billions of light years to reach our telescopes.

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