Question 1

How do light-years and parsecs compare?

Accepted Answer

1 parsec = 3.26 light-years. Astronomers prefer parsecs for stellar distances because they relate directly to parallax measurements.

Question 2

Which is larger, a light-year or parsec?

Accepted Answer

A parsec is larger: 1 pc = 3.26 ly. The nearest star is 1.3 pc or 4.24 ly away. Use parsecs for professional astronomy.

Question 3

Is this conversion factor exact?

Accepted Answer

Metric-to-metric conversions are exact (1 km = 1000 m). Imperial-to-metric factors like 1 inch = 2.54 cm are exact by international agreement.

Question 4

Why do some countries use different units?

Accepted Answer

Historical reasons - the metric system spread from France after 1795. The US, UK, and a few others retained older systems. Science uses metric worldwide.

Light Years to Parsecs Converter

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