Parsecs to Astronomical Units (pc to au) Converter
1 Parsec equals 206,264.8062 Astronomical Units (1 pc = 206,264.8062 au). Convert Parsecs to Astronomical Units with formula, table, and examples.
One parsec equals approximately 206,265 astronomical units. This is the fundamental conversion in stellar astronomy, connecting the solar-system unit (AU) with the stellar-distance unit (parsec). 1 parsec is the distance at which 1 AU subtends 1 arcsecond.
How to Convert Parsecs to Astronomical Units
- Take your value in Parsecs
- Multiply by 206,264.8062470964
- Read the result in Astronomical Units
Common Parsecs to Astronomical Units Conversions
| Parsecs (pc) | Astronomical Units (au) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 0.001 pc | 206.2648 au | |
| 0.01 pc | 2,062.6481 au | |
| 0.1 pc | 20,626.4806 au | |
| 0.5 pc | 103,132.4031 au | |
| 1 pc | 206,264.8062 au | |
| 1.3 pc | 268,144.2481 au | |
| 2 pc | 412,529.6125 au | |
| 5 pc | 1,031,324.0312 au | |
| 10 pc | 2,062,648.0625 au | |
| 100 pc | 20,626,480.6247 au | |
| 1,000 pc | 206,264,806.2471 au | |
| 10,000 pc | 2,062,648,062.471 au | |
| 30,000 pc | 6,187,944,187.4129 au |
Good to Know About Parsecs to Astronomical Units Conversion
The number 206,265 connects Earth's orbit to the stars. It is the conversion factor that transforms solar system geometry into stellar distances. Every stellar distance ever measured by parallax passes through this number. It is arguably the most important number in observational astronomy.
Parsecs to Astronomical Units: What You Need to Know
1 pc = 206,265 AU. Proxima Centauri at 1.3 pc is about 268,000 AU. The Oort Cloud extends to about 100,000 AU (0.49 pc). The parsec-to-AU conversion defines the transition from solar system to interstellar space.
What is a Parsec? pc
The distance at which one astronomical unit subtends an angle of one arcsecond. Approximately 3.26 light-years or 30.857 trillion kilometers. The standard unit in professional astronomy.
Learn more about Parsec →What is a Astronomical Unit? au
Exactly 149,597,870,700 meters by IAU 2012 definition. Roughly the average distance from the Earth to the Sun. Used for distances within our solar system.
Learn more about Astronomical Unit →Going the other way? Use our Astronomical Units to Parsecs converter.
Parsecs to Astronomical Units FAQ
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One parsec contains approximately 206,265 AU. This comes directly from the parsec's definition: the distance at which 1 AU subtends 1 arcsecond of parallax.
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1 parsec = distance where 1 AU (Earth's orbital radius) creates 1 arcsecond of parallax angle. It is a geometric definition connecting Earth's orbit to stellar distances.
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1 parsec is about 206,265 times larger than 1 AU. The AU measures within the solar system; the parsec measures beyond it.
Non-Frequently Asked Questions About Parsecs to Astronomical Units
Questions nobody should ask - but someone did.
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Earth's orbit has a radius of 1 AU. Proxima Centauri is 268,000 AU away. That is 268,000 Earth-orbit-radii, or about 42,600 Earth-orbit-diameters. If Earth's orbit were a coin, you would need 42,600 coins to reach the nearest star. Stars are far apart even in solar-system units.
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Because there are 206,265 arcseconds in a radian (360 degrees x 3,600 arcseconds/degree / 2 pi). The parsec is 1 AU x 206,265 = 1 radian of distance at 1 arcsecond resolution. It is pure trigonometry. The number 206,265 is pi's gift to astronomy.
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Neptune orbits at about 30 AU. The Oort Cloud extends to about 100,000 AU. 1 parsec is 206,265 AU. So the entire solar system (including the Oort Cloud) fits about twice inside 1 parsec. The nearest star at 1.3 pc is about 2.6 solar systems away. Stars are close - just not THAT close.
Related Articles About Parsecs to Astronomical Units
Need the reverse? Use our Astronomical Units to Parsecs converter. See all Length & Distance converters.