Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Science

Silent3

(15,909 posts)

5. Light years relate fairly directly to time...

Reply to sakabatou (Reply #4)

Wed Jun 13, 2012, 08:31 PM

Jun 2012

...in some contexts, but they are still units of length, not of time.

For example, it makes no sense to say, "I went to college for four light years".

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

9 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

'Oldest galaxy' discovered using Hawaii telescope [View all] Judi Lynn Jun 2012 OP

I'm going to have to see the long-form. n/t Bolo Boffin Jun 2012 #1

That's "12.91bn light years AWAY", not AGO. Silent3 Jun 2012 #2

A light year is also a measure of time. sakabatou Jun 2012 #4

Light years relate fairly directly to time... Silent3 Jun 2012 #5

Yes, it's still a mesure of length. sakabatou Jun 2012 #6

We substitute time for distance all the time depending on the context. laconicsax Jun 2012 #7

Yes, but you still know someone screwed up when they say... Silent3 Jun 2012 #8

Ah, but even then, the rationalizations have been made: laconicsax Jun 2012 #9

Wow... galaxies formed pretty early after the Big Bang sakabatou Jun 2012 #3