Astronomical Unit Converter
Convert between astronomical units with scientific precision.
About these units:
- Kilometer (km): Standard unit of length in the metric system, equal to 1,000 meters.
- Astronomical Unit (AU): Average distance from Earth to the Sun, approximately 149,597,870.7 kilometers.
- Light-year (ly): Distance light travels in a vacuum in one year, approximately 9,460,730,472,000 kilometers.
- Parsec (pc): Distance at which 1 astronomical unit subtends an angle of 1 arcsecond, approximately 30,856,775,800,000 kilometers.
How Does This Tool Works
This astronomical unit converter simplifies complex space distance calculations by instantly converting between kilometers (km), astronomical units (AU), light-years (ly), and parsecs (pc).
It uses precise conversion factors to first translate your input into kilometers, then converts it to your desired unit. The tool handles scientific notation effortlessly, allowing you to input extremely large values (common in astronomical measurements).
How to Use This Tool?
- Enter your value in the ‘Value’ field.
- Select your starting unit (e.g., light-years) and target unit (e.g., parsecs).
- Click “Convert” to instantly see the result. The tool displays both the converted value in exponential notation and the exact conversion rate between the selected units, helping you verify the calculation.
Why Use This Tool?
This converter eliminates manual calculation errors and saves time for students, astronomers, and space enthusiasts.
Unlike generic converters, it specializes in astronomical scales, uses verified constants (1 AU = 149.6 million km, 1 parsec = 3.26 light-years), and supports scientific notation for extreme distances.