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  3. Speed of Light
Astrophysics

Speed of Light

Definition

The speed light travels in vacuum: approximately 299,792 km/s. According to special relativity, this is the universal speed limit for anything with mass. Light from the Sun takes about 8 minutes 20 seconds to reach Earth.

Related Terms

Light-Year

The distance light travels in one year in a vacuum: approximately 9.461 trillion km. Used to express astronomical distan...

General Relativity

Einstein's 1915 theory describing gravity as curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. Confirmed by light bendin...

Redshift

An increase in wavelength of radiation from an object moving away from the observer. The redshift of distant galaxies pr...

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Full Glossary

Browse all 66+ space and astronomy terms.

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