A parsec is a unit of distance used in astronomy, equivalent to about 3.26 light-years or 31 trillion kilometers. It represents the distance at which one astronomical unit subtends an angle of one arcsecond.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
1 parsec is approximately equal to 3.26 light-years.
The term 'parsec' is derived from 'parallax of one arcsecond'.
Parsecs are commonly used to measure distances to stars and galaxies outside our solar system.
The measurement relies on observing the apparent shift in position (parallax) of a star against more distant background objects as Earth orbits the Sun.
Calculating distances in parsecs helps astronomers understand the scale and structure of the universe.