Length & distance

Just how long is 1 parsec?

Deep space

1 pc

3.0857 × 10¹⁶ mmetres

1.0124 × 10¹⁷ ftfeet

1.9174 × 10¹³ mimiles

206,260 AUastronomical units

1 parsec3.262 lyLength · definition

Distance to Proxima Centauri4.25 lyDistance · 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 distance of Distance to Proxima Centauri is about 1.3 times the length of 1 parsec.

Measurements, assumptions & sources +

1 parsec

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

NIST — SI conversion factors

Distance to Proxima Centauri

Rounded NASA nearby-star distance anchor, 4.25 light-years. The Earth is not at the centre of the galaxy.

NASA — Our nearest celestial neighbour

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 parsec

3.262 ly

Length · definition

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

Distance to Proxima Centauri

4.25 ly

Distance · approximate

Rounded NASA nearby-star distance anchor, 4.25 light-years. The Earth is not at the centre of the galaxy.

Comparing: Length ↔ Distance
Relative size: Distance to Proxima Centauri is larger on this measurement by a factor of about 1.3. Distance to Proxima Centauri's selected measurement is approximately 30.3% greater than 1 parsec's.