Calculate the speed of light from the Sun to Earth and the time it takes for light to travel this distance
Learn how to use the calculator to determine the time it takes for light to travel from the Sun to Earth
The calculator shows that light from the Sun takes approximately 8 minutes and 20 seconds to reach Earth. This phenomenon is what causes the Sun to appear in the sky - we are actually seeing light that left the Sun about 8 minutes ago.
The calculation is based on the fundamental physics formula: Time = Distance ÷ Speed. Since the speed of light is constant in a vacuum, the time it takes for light to travel between two points depends solely on the distance between them.
This calculator demonstrates the vast distances in our solar system. The time delay of light is significant in astronomy - when we observe distant stars, we're actually seeing them as they were in the past. This has profound implications for our understanding of the universe and its history.