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Fathom

A fathom is a unit of length traditionally used to measure the depth of water. It equals 6 feet or approximately 1.8288 meters.

Originating from the Old English word fæðm, meaning "to embrace" or "outstretched arms," the fathom was based on the average distance between a person's outstretched arms. It has been widely used by sailors and navigators to estimate sea depths and underwater distances.

Key facts:

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  1 fathom = 6 feet

  
  
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  1 fathom ≈ 1.8288 meters

  
  
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  1 fathom = 2 yards

  
  

Though modern sonar and electronic instruments now measure depth more precisely, the fathom remains a traditional unit in nautical contexts, especially in maritime charts and historical references.

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:

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

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

  
  
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  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.