Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Emilio Romero on 16/01/2009 13:51:20

Title: In a car, how long would it take to drive to Neptune?
Post by: Emilio Romero on 16/01/2009 13:51:20
Ok, we all know that the universe is huge. We all know, for that matter, that our solar system is huge.
But just to put it in perspective: How long would it take for a car traveling at 100 kph (starting at the center of the sun) to reach the end of the solar system (Neptune’s orbit?).


[MOD EDIT - Emilio, please can you format your posts' titles as questions, which is the accepted forum policy. Thank you. Chris]
Title: Re: In a car, how long would it take to drive to Neptune?
Post by: Don_1 on 16/01/2009 17:06:14
Neptune is about 4.5 billion k's from the centre of the Sun.

Better take some sandwiches with you on that trip!
Title: Re: In a car, how long would it take to drive to Neptune?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 16/01/2009 17:35:50
And some cold weather gear.
Title: Re: In a car, how long would it take to drive to Neptune?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 17/01/2009 00:27:45
So 4 500 000 000/100 gives 45 000 000 hours which is around 5137 years! [:o]
Title: Re: In a car, how long would it take to drive to Neptune?
Post by: RD on 17/01/2009 01:13:25
NASA's "new horizons" mission to Pluto is going to take about a decade to get there.

The craft is currently between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus, travelling at approx 60,000 Kph...

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   http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/mission/whereis_nh.php
Title: Re: In a car, how long would it take to drive to Neptune?
Post by: syhprum on 17/01/2009 11:53:11
Why start from the centre of the Sun ?, start from the surface not so hot and not so far to go.
Title: Re: In a car, how long would it take to drive to Neptune?
Post by: blakestyger on 17/01/2009 12:02:35
I assume you'll be taking a Ford Galaxy. [:D]
Title: In a car, how long would it take to drive to Neptune?
Post by: Emilio Romero on 17/01/2009 14:13:38
it was either that, or a Chev Nova...
LOL...
Title: In a car, how long would it take to drive to Neptune?
Post by: blakestyger on 17/01/2009 15:45:07
...or a Vauxhall Astra. [;D]
Title: In a car, how long would it take to drive to Neptune?
Post by: RD on 17/01/2009 16:15:41
Mitsubishi Starion ?

Quote
The "Starion" name is claimed to be a contraction of "Star of Orion."
It was also widely believed that the Japanese intended the name to be "Stallion",
 but due to lack of "l" in Japanese, the name was spelled with "r" instead .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Starion
Title: In a car, how long would it take to drive to Neptune?
Post by: Emilio Romero on 17/01/2009 16:21:06

Lots of choices... great
Ford TAURUS?
 [::)]
Title: In a car, how long would it take to drive to Neptune?
Post by: Madidus_Scientia on 18/01/2009 03:53:02
Nothing could get there faster than a Laser.
Title: In a car, how long would it take to drive to Neptune?
Post by: RD on 18/01/2009 06:27:14
Nothing could get there faster than a Laser.

Except a DeLorean (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeLorean_time_machine)  [:)]
Title: In a car, how long would it take to drive to Neptune?
Post by: Madidus_Scientia on 18/01/2009 09:44:47
haha, true