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The AU was used as a unit of measure, before the propagation of electromagnetic radiation was understood, or its rate quantified. So because of tradition, and the fact that the AU is a more wieldy unit, for distances within the solar system than either light years, or miles, the AU still holds sway.

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14y ago
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12y ago

they like to firgure it out as Space talk. or a fancy way to separate planets!

-Valeria

they like to firgure it out as Space talk. or a fancy way to separate planets!

-Valeria

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11y ago

When you are talking about astronomical distances, it is convenient to have some larger units of measurement than kilometers, to avoid having to use excessively large numbers.

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Q: Why do scientists use AUs to measure distances in the solar system?
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What is a unit used to measure the large distances between objects in our solar system?

The Astronomical unit is used to measure the large distances in our solar system. It is roughly the average distance between the Earth and the Sun.


Which is a method that scientists use to determine the composition of Earth's layers?

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what Scientists have explored only a small portion of space. What evidence is there that gravity exists outside of what they have explored?

Gravity is the force that holds our Solar System together. It allows planets and moons to keep their elliptical orbits around the Sun. Even though humans have explored only a small portion of space, we know that our Solar System orbits the center of the much larger Milky Way galaxy. Without gravity, our Solar System would not be able to maintain this orbit.


What can solar fuel do?

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How do most scientists hypothesize that the solar system formed?

Some think it formed from a star which was produced by the Big Bang theory. Then astroids formed planets. That's the simple version.additional. The age of the Universe is about 14x109 years.The age of the Solar system is 4.5x109 years.The elements in the Earth greater than iron, need the energy of a super nova to manufacture them.So our Solar system is possibly the end product of a super nova.So you were once a part of a nova!

Related questions

Why do scientists use light-years and astronomical units?

meters, feet, and even miles are way too small to measure distances in space. astronomical units are mostly used to measure distances in our solar system. light years are used to measure the distances of things further away from our solar system.


What unit is used to measure distances beyond your solar system?

Light-Years


How and when do scientists use astronomical unit?

This unit is mainly used for distances within the Solar System.


What is a unit used to measure the large distances between objects in our solar system?

The Astronomical unit is used to measure the large distances in our solar system. It is roughly the average distance between the Earth and the Sun.


What is the unit used to measure the large distances between objects in your solar system?

it is light years. And miles are to short.


How to measure distances between celestial bodies?

the distance is measured in LIGHTYEARS.


What is the relation between angstrom and astronomical unit?

Both are units used to measure distances. An angstrom is 10-10 meters - a very small unit. An AU is the distance from Earth to Sun, used to compare distances in the Solar System - a distance of about 150 million kilometers.Both are units used to measure distances. An angstrom is 10-10 meters - a very small unit. An AU is the distance from Earth to Sun, used to compare distances in the Solar System - a distance of about 150 million kilometers.Both are units used to measure distances. An angstrom is 10-10 meters - a very small unit. An AU is the distance from Earth to Sun, used to compare distances in the Solar System - a distance of about 150 million kilometers.Both are units used to measure distances. An angstrom is 10-10 meters - a very small unit. An AU is the distance from Earth to Sun, used to compare distances in the Solar System - a distance of about 150 million kilometers.


What do scientists measure using light years?

Anything outside of our solar system to anything within our galaxy.


Is used to measure distance in the solar system is?

Inside our Solar System distances are measured in Astronomical Units (AU) which is the average distance from the Earth to the Sun, or about 93 million miles. Jupiter is about 5.5 AU distance from the sun or around 500 million miles. Distances outside our Solar System are usually measured in Light Years.


Why do scientists use light minutes and light hours instead of light years to measure distances with your solar systeam?

Objects in the solar system are much smaller than a light year. Light takes only minutes or hours to pass from one planet to another. To measure interplanetary distances in light years would be like measuring the sizes of insects in miles. Usually, though, rather than light hours and light minutes, distances in the solar system are measured in Astronomical Units (AU), which is average distance between Earth and the sun, about eight light minutes.


What units are used inside the solar system?

in the solar system, distances are measured in AU's which stand for atronomical units.


How scientists get solar system pictures?

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