1e42

1E42 is a numeric string that most commonly appears as a representation of scientific notation for 1 × 10^42. In this form, the letter E denotes the exponent and serves as a concise way to express very large quantities in scientific and engineering contexts. It is a general convention used across disciplines, especially where large scales or precise orders of magnitude are important.

In scientific usage, 1E42 may appear as a value in discussions of quantities such as luminosities, energies, or particle counts at extreme scales. For example, in astronomy and astrophysics, luminosities of certain phenomena are sometimes expressed in units where values around 1E42 erg per second are encountered for relatively modest active galactic nuclei. In theoretical or cosmological contexts, 1E42 can also appear as a scale in toy models or order-of-magnitude estimates, depending on the conventions of the work.

Outside of pure mathematics and physics, 1E42 frequently serves as a catalog designation, model number, serial code, or product variant. In these uses, it functions as an identifier issued by a specific organization rather than a statement about a numeric magnitude. Consequently, the meaning of 1E42 is highly context-dependent: it may denote a quantity in one setting or a label in another.

In summary, 1E42 is primarily a notation for a very large number, but it can also appear as an arbitrary identifier in non-numeric contexts. See also scientific notation and exponents for related concepts.