How would we explain the length of an hour, or the distance to the Sun from Earth to an alien?

The way that many recommend is to use some standard such as the diameter of a hydrogen atom, and the speed of light. Then express other things as multiples of these. I find it hard to answer such questions because I don't find the premise very likely that we will ever have to worry about talking to aliens. There are other far more interesting questions to ponder.


Copyright 1997 Dr. Sten Odenwald
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