Convert Fathom (US Survey) (fath (US)) to Gigameter (Gm) instantly.
About these units
Fathom (US Survey) (fath (US))
The US Survey Fathom is defined as 6 US Survey Feet (~1.8288 meters), identical in proportion to the traditional fathom but scaled to the US Survey Foot. Maritime surveys, early river navigation, and hydrographic measurements relied on this unit for determining depths and plotting charts. In terrestrial applications, the fathom occasionally served as a practical measure for large structures or obstacles. Although less relevant in contemporary usage, understanding the US survey fathom is crucial for interpreting historical navigation data, nautical charts, and engineering projects using older measurement systems.
Gigameter (Gm)
A gigameter, one billion meters (10⁹ m), moves firmly into interplanetary territory. Astronomers use gigameters to express distances within the solar system, such as the average separation between planets or the orbital paths of spacecraft. For example, the Earth–Moon distance (~384,000 km) can be expressed as 0.384 Gm, and distances to nearby planets often fall in the range of tens or hundreds of gigameters depending on orbital positions. The gigameter is particularly useful in scientific models where distances are massive but still fall short of interstellar scales. It reduces the need for unwieldy scientific notation and gives researchers a manageable unit for calculations involving gravitational fields, orbital dynamics, and space mission planning.