Convert Kiloparsec (kpc) to Rod (US Survey) (rd (US)) instantly.
About these units
Kiloparsec (kpc)
A kiloparsec, equal to 1,000 parsecs, is used to express distances on the scale of large stellar groups, spiral arm structures, and galactic dimensions. The Milky Way, for instance, spans roughly 30 kpc in diameter, and the Sun is located about 8 kpc from the galactic center. Kiloparsecs provide a natural scale for modeling galactic rotation curves, star cluster distributions, and gravitational interactions between galactic features. Using parsecs alone would result in very large numbers, while megaparsecs would be too large for most galactic phenomena. The unit is essential in cosmology and astrophysics, where researchers examine interstellar distances, halo sizes, and the spatial arrangement of star-forming regions. The kpc helps create an intuitive sense of the Milky Way's architecture and the scale of galactic environments.
Rod (US Survey) (rd (US))
The US Survey Rod equals 16.5 US Survey Feet (~5.0292 meters). Like the chain and furlong, it serves as a subdivision of larger units, maintaining consistency with historic Gunter-based measurements. Surveyors historically used rods to measure short distances, delineate boundaries, and calculate acreages. Its simple relationship to chains and furlongs made it practical for field measurements without complex arithmetic. Today, the US survey rod primarily appears in historical records, legal surveys, and when referencing pre-metric property data, providing continuity between older and modern surveying conventions.