Convert parsec to kiloparsec Online | Free Length Converter

Parsec

A parsec (pc) is a unit of distance used in astronomy, equal to about 3.26 light-years or roughly 31 trillion kilometers. The name “parsec” comes from “parallax of one arcsecond,” referring to the method astronomers use to measure distances to nearby stars based on their apparent shift when viewed from different positions in Earth’s orbit. Parsecs are commonly used to measure distances to stars and galaxies. For example, the nearest star system, Alpha Centauri, is about 1.3 parsecs away. The symbol for parsec is "pc". It’s a convenient unit for expressing large astronomical distances beyond the reach of light-years.

Kiloparsec

A kiloparsec (kpc) is a unit of distance used in astronomy equal to 1,000 parsecs, or about 3,260 light-years. It is commonly used to measure distances within and between galaxies. For example, the Milky Way galaxy is about 30 kiloparsecs in diameter. Kiloparsecs help astronomers describe large-scale structures in space more conveniently than using light-years alone. The symbol for kiloparsec is "kpc". It’s an important unit for understanding the size and scale of galaxies and their components.