Length & distance

Just how long is 1 megaparsec?

Deep space

1 Mpc

3.0857 × 10²² mmetres

1.0124 × 10²³ ftfeet

1.9174 × 10¹⁹ mimiles

2.0626 × 10¹¹ AUastronomical units

1 megaparsec1 MpcLength · definition

Distance to Andromeda766.5 kpcDistance · approximate

Both marked spans share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its proportions; poses and surface detail are illustrative. A ruler represents the selected distance or unrolled circumference; it is not the physical size of the pictured body.

A little perspective

The length of 1 megaparsec is about 1.3 times the distance of Distance to Andromeda.

Measurements, assumptions & sources +

1 megaparsec

The quantity is exact as entered. Comparisons use the clearly stated specimen, model or nominal measurement.

NIST — SI conversion factors

Distance to Andromeda

Approximate distance to our large galactic neighbour. This measures separation, not the galaxy’s diameter.

NASA — The galaxy next door

The marked distance is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.

Measurement details

Why these numbers?

The visual compares length with distance. The records below preserve each value’s basis and caveats.

1 megaparsec

1 Mpc

Length · definition

The quantity is exact as entered. Comparisons use the clearly stated specimen, model or nominal measurement.

Distance to Andromeda

766.5 kpc

Distance · approximate

Approximate distance to our large galactic neighbour. This measures separation, not the galaxy’s diameter.

Comparing: Length ↔ Distance
Relative size: 1 megaparsec is larger on this measurement by a factor of about 1.3. 1 megaparsec's selected measurement is approximately 30.5% greater than Distance to Andromeda's.