# Parsecs to Fathoms (pc to ftm)

Source: https://www.unitconvertercalculator.com/length/parsecs-to-fathoms/

**1 pc = 1.6872690187507E+16 ftm**

One parsec equals approximately 1.688 x 1016 fathoms (about 16.9 quadrillion). The parsec measures the space between stars; the fathom measures the depth of the sea. Both describe vast, dark, largely empty domains.

## Formula

Convert Parsecs to Fathoms

## Conversion Table

| Parsecs (pc) | Fathoms (ftm) |
|---|---|
| 1.0E-13 pc | 1687.2690187507 ftm |
| 1.0E-12 pc | 16872.690187507 ftm |
| 1.0E-11 pc | 168726.90187507 ftm |
| 1.0E-10 pc | 1687269.0187507 ftm |
| 1.0E-9 pc | 16872690.187507 ftm |
| 1.0E-8 pc | 168726901.87507 ftm |
| 1.0E-7 pc | 1687269018.7507 ftm |
| 1.0E-6 pc | 16872690187.507 ftm |
| 1.0E-5 pc | 168726901875.07 ftm |
| 0.0001 pc | 1687269018750.7 ftm |
| 0.001 pc | 16872690187507 ftm |
| 0.01 pc | 1.6872690187507E+14 ftm |
| 0.1 pc | 1.6872690187507E+15 ftm |
| 1 pc | 1.6872690187507E+16 ftm |
| 1.3 pc | 2.193449724376E+16 ftm |

## Units

### 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.

### Fathom (ftm)

Exactly 6 feet (1.8288 m). Traditionally used to measure water depth in nautical contexts. Originally based on the span of outstretched arms.

## Background

A parsec is about 16.9 quadrillion fathoms. The Mariana Trench (6,011 fathoms) is 3.56 x 10-13 parsecs deep. The ocean's deepest point barely registers on the parsec scale. The cosmos dwarfs even the deepest sea.

## Good to Know

The fathom and parsec measure humanity's two great unknowns: the ocean deep and interstellar space. Both were terrifying to early explorers. Both are now mapped (partially). The fathom charted the ocean floor; the parsec charts the stellar neighborhood. Measurement is how humans tame the unknown.

## FAQ

### How many fathoms are in 1 parsec?

One parsec contains approximately 1.688 x 1016 fathoms.

### How many parsecs is 1 fathom?

One fathom equals approximately 5.926 x 10-17 parsecs.

### Do both units describe empty space?

Yes. Interstellar space (parsecs) and deep ocean (fathoms) are both vast, dark, mostly empty. One is vacuum with sparse atoms; the other is water with sparse life. Both are inhospitable to humans.

## Non-Frequently Asked Questions

### Is deep space or deep ocean emptier?

Deep space wins. Interstellar space has about 1 atom per cubic centimeter. Deep ocean has about 3.3 x 1022 molecules per cubic centimeter (water). Deep space is about 1022 times emptier than deep ocean. But deep ocean is darker (sunlight cannot reach the bottom). The ocean is denser but darker; space is emptier but starlit.

### How many ocean depths stack up to 1 parsec?

Average ocean depth is 2,024 fathoms. 1 parsec (1.688 x 1016 fathoms) = about 8.34 billion ocean depths stacked. Eight billion oceans deep equals 1 parsec high. The cosmos is an unfathomable number of oceans deep.

### Could a submarine explore interstellar space?

A submarine is designed for 300-1,000 fathoms of pressure. Interstellar space has zero pressure. A submarine would explode in space (internal pressure with no external counter-pressure), not implode. The engineering is exactly backwards. Submarines and spacecraft are structural opposites.

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## See Also

- [Fathoms to Parsecs](https://www.unitconvertercalculator.com/length/fathoms-to-parsecs/)