Question 1

How far is a light-minute?

Accepted Answer

A light-minute is 17.99 million km. The Sun is 8.3 light-minutes from Earth. Mars is 3-22 light-minutes away depending on orbit.

Question 2

How many kilometers in a light-minute?

Accepted Answer

1 light-minute = 17,987,547 km (about 18 million km). Light travels at 299,792 km/s.

Question 3

Is this conversion factor exact?

Accepted Answer

Metric-to-metric conversions are exact (1 km = 1000 m). Imperial-to-metric factors like 1 inch = 2.54 cm are exact by international agreement.

Question 4

Why do some countries use different units?

Accepted Answer

Historical reasons - the metric system spread from France after 1795. The US, UK, and a few others retained older systems. Science uses metric worldwide.

Light Minutes to Kilometers Converter

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