Definition:Astronomical Distance Units/Astronomical Unit

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Definition

The astronomical unit is a derived unit of length.


It is defined as being $149 \, 597 \, 870 \, 700$ metres.


The astronomical unit is the standard unit of measurement used by astronomers when discussing distances within the solar system.

It is derived as the approximate mean distance from the center of Earth to the center of the Sun.


Conversion Factors

\(\ds \) \(\) \(\ds 1\) astronomical unit
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds 149 \, 597 \, 870 \, 700\) metres
\(\ds \) \(\approx\) \(\ds 92 \, 955 \, 807 \cdotp 273\) miles
\(\ds \) \(\approx\) \(\ds 1 \cdotp 58125 \, 07409 \, 8 \times 10^{-5}\) light years
\(\ds \) \(\approx\) \(\ds 4 \cdotp 84813 \, 68111 \times 10^{-6}\) parsec


Approximate Values

The astronomical unit is approximately $150 \, 000 \, 000 \, \mathrm {k m}$, or $93$ million (international) miles.


Symbol

$\mathrm {AU}$ or $\mathrm {au}$

The symbol for the astronomical unit is $\mathrm {AU}$ or $\mathrm {au}$.


The $\LaTeX$ code for \(\mathrm {AU}\) is \mathrm {AU} .

The $\LaTeX$ code for \(\mathrm {au}\) is \mathrm {au} .


Sources