How long does it take to travel 500 light years?

Question

Luke Allen · Accepted Answer

#242,718.447# years (3dp)

This depends on what is traveling; obviously, 500 years would pass if it were light travel. However, I assume you are referring to some kind of spacecraft. Let's assume that our rocket travels at a speed greater than 618 km/s in order to escape the gravitational pull of the sun. The speed of light is about 300,000 km (or #300, 000, 000# m) per second, so in a year, light travels #300,000 xx 3,600# (seconds in an hour) #xx 24# (hours in a day) # xx 365# (days in a year) Which gives us 9460800000000 (or #9.4608 xx 10^12#) So then multiply this by #500# #9.4608 xx 10^12 xx 500 = 4730400000000000# ( or #4.7304xx10^15#) So that is how far we have travelled. When #t = time#, #d = distance# and #s = speed#, #t = d / s# So, we need to carry out the following calculation: #4730400000000000# km #/618# km/s# = 7654368932038.835# seconds (3dp) Divide this by seconds in a hour, hours in a day and days in a year #7654368932038.835/ (3,600 xx 24 xx 365) = 242718.447# years (3dp) I hope this is helpful; please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. I am really grateful to AO8 for their assistance!

Olivia Aldridge · Answer

undefined To travel 500 light years at the speed of light, it would take 500 years. However, with current technology, we are unable to travel at the speed of light, so it would take much longer.