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- TL;DR Summary
- How can the speed of light be constant across the universe when the units (metres and seconds) relate to the Earth? Secondly, how do we know when the speed of light is at the maximum value, given that we do not know the precise contents of space?
Although the speed of light is a 'cosmic speed limit', and is always constant, this seems to be a paradox. Firstly, the units we use to measure it relate to the Earth. How can we measure a metre or a second without the Earth as a reference point? And if we do, what meaning does this have for the rest of the universe, which (as far as we know) is not built with reference to the Earth? Secondly, the speed of light is slower when light passes through substances, so, given that the entire universe is not a vacuum, and we do not know what transparent substances the light is passing through, how can we meaningfully say the speed of light is constant? And when it is at a maximum, how long does this happen for, and how can we know?