Why do astronomers use astronomical units (AU) instead of kilometers (km)? (1 point)
• Large distances are easier to express in AU than in km.
O There are no km in outer space, only AU.
O AU is used in astronomy, while km is used in physics.
• AU is used for spacing, while km is used for length
It is because large distances in the solar system are easier to express in AU than in km.
The correct answer is: Large distances are easier to express in AU than in km.
Astronomers use astronomical units (AU) instead of kilometers (km) because large distances in space can be extremely vast, making it more convenient to express them using astronomical units. AU is a unit of measurement based on the average distance between the Earth and the Sun, which is roughly 150 million kilometers. By using AU, astronomers can represent distances in the solar system more conveniently.
Astronomers use astronomical units (AU) instead of kilometers (km) because large distances in the solar system are more conveniently expressed in AU. An astronomical unit is defined as the average distance from the Earth to the Sun, which is about 149.6 million kilometers. By using AU, astronomers can easily compare distances within the solar system without dealing with long numbers in kilometers.
To calculate distances in AU, astronomers measure the distance between an object and the Sun in kilometers and then divide it by the average distance between Earth and the Sun. This allows them to express distances in a scale relative to the size of our solar system.
On the other hand, kilometers (km) are a unit of length used in physics and everyday life to measure distances on Earth. While km is still used in astronomical calculations, using AU provides a more convenient and standardized way of expressing distances within the solar system.