Convert a.u. of length to light year Online | Free Length Converter

Switch units
   

Astronomical Unit (a.u.) of Length


The astronomical unit (a.u.) is a unit of length used primarily in astronomy to describe distances within our solar system. It is defined as the average distance between the Earth and the Sun.


Key facts:



  • 1 astronomical unit ≈ 149,597,870.7 kilometers (about 93 million miles)



  • Used to measure distances between planets and other objects in the solar system



  • Provides a convenient scale for expressing space distances that are too large for kilometers but too small for light-years



The astronomical unit helps astronomers communicate and calculate orbits, planetary positions, and space missions with clarity and precision.



Light Year


A light year is a unit of distance used in astronomy to measure how far light travels in one year. Light moves extremely fast—about 299,792 kilometers per second—so in one year, it travels roughly 9.46 trillion kilometers (or about 5.88 trillion miles). Light years help scientists express the huge distances between stars and galaxies. For example, the nearest star to Earth, Proxima Centauri, is about 4.24 light years away. The term “light year” can be confusing because it sounds like a measure of time, but it actually measures distance.



No conversions available for length.

Convert a.u. of length to Other Length Units