What is a parsec?

sophiemainprize
Apr 8, 2023
1 min read

Updated: Oct 30, 2023

A parsec (pc) is a unit of length used to measure large astronomical distances outside our Solar System. It is approximately equal to 3.26 light-years, 206 265 astronomical units (AU) or 19.2 trillion miles. A parsec is defined as the distance at which 1 AU subtends an angle of one arcsecond (1/3600 of a degree) ie 648000/π (AU) or 1pc = 1AU/ tan (1 arcsec).

Recent Posts

See All

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) provides all our information about the physical Universe, apart from meteorites and lunar rock samples....

What is the Doppler Effect?

In 1842 Christian Doppler hired a group of musicians to play on an open train carriage as it was moving on the track and he heard a...

What is Gravity?

Gravity is a universal force. It is one of the four fundamental forces that act on us all the time. The strong force and the weak force...

Comments