Our Galaxy and Stars: Distances in Space

The video tutorial explains how distances are measured on Earth using kilometers or miles and introduces the concept of measuring distances in space. For nearby celestial objects like the moon or sun, kilometers are used. However, for distant stars like Rigel, which is 861 trillion kilometers away, astronomers use light years. A light year is the distance light travels in one year, approximately 9.5 trillion kilometers. The video also discusses the speed of light, which is 310,000 kilometers per second, and how this measurement helps in calculating astronomical distances.

How do we measure distances to relatively close objects in space?

What is a light year and how is it defined?

What is the speed of light in kilometers per second?

How far can light travel in one year?

What is the distance of the star Rigel from Earth in light years?