If we say that an object is 1,000 light-years away, how does that affect how we see it?
A) We see it as it looked 1,000 years ago.
B) We see it as it would appear to our ancestors 1,000 years ago.
C) We see it as it looked 1,000 light-years ago.
D) We see it as it is right now, but it appears 1,000 times dimmer.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A light-year is a measure of distance, not time. However, it represents the distance light travels in one year. Therefore, if an object is 1,000 light-years away, we are seeing it as it was 1,000 years ago because the light from that object has taken 1,000 years to reach us.

If We Say That an Object Is 1,000 Light-Years Away