Light from fires that were lit at the time of the Battle of Hastings in England in A.D. 1066 has traveled out into space at the speed of light. How far out into space has this light now reached, compared to the distances to the 20 brightest stars?
A) beyond Sirius, but not beyond Betelgeuse, Rigel, and Deneb
B) beyond Sirius, Betelgeuse, and Rigel, but not beyond Deneb
C) beyond Sirius and Betelgeuse, but not beyond Rigel and Deneb
D) beyond Sirius, Betelgeuse, Rigel, and Deneb

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The light from the fires of 1066, having traveled for nearly 957 years (as of 2023), would have covered a distance of approximately 957 light-years. Sirius is about 8.6 light-years away, Betelgeuse is about 642.5 light-years away, and Rigel is about 860 light-years away, all of which are within 957 light-years. Deneb, however, is about 2,600 light-years away, far beyond the reach of this light.

Light from Fires That Were Lit at the Time of the Battle