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Physics

Laser technique measures vast distances with nanometre precision

A new technique involving lasers can measure long distances more
precisely than ever, which could be useful for space telescopes

By Alex Wilkins

13 January 2025

      

[SEI_235256076]

Laser beams in a physics laboratory

Callum Fraser / Alamy Stock Photo

A new way to gauge distance using lasers can measure lengths of more
than 100 kilometres to within a thousandth of the width of a human
hair, and could be used to make better space telescopes.

In lab-settings, scientists can use lasers to measure distances with
extreme precision, to within a few nanometres. But for longer
distances of a kilometre or more, the precision of these techniques
tends to be much lower, to within around a millimetre.

 

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