Convert Parsec (pc) to Mile (US Survey) (mi (US)) instantly.
About these units
Parsec (pc)
A parsec is equal to 3.26 light years, or approximately 3.0857 × 10¹⁶ meters. It is defined based on the method of stellar parallax, the apparent shift in a star's position caused by Earth's orbit around the Sun. Specifically, a star at a distance of one parsec exhibits a parallax angle of one arcsecond (1/3600 of a degree). Because its definition emerges directly from geometric measurement techniques, the parsec became the standard astronomical unit for professional research. Parallax-based distances are foundational to the cosmic distance ladder — the sequence of methods by which astronomers measure distances from nearby stars to the farthest galaxies. The parsec is widely used in astrophysics because calculations involving gravitational dynamics, luminosity, or galactic structure often become more intuitive in parsecs than in light years. Although less familiar to the public, it is the preferred unit in scientific publications, planetary catalogs, and distance mapping of the Milky Way.
Mile (US Survey) (mi (US))
The US Survey Mile equals 5,280 US Survey Feet (~1,609.347 meters). Slightly longer than the international mile due to the use of the US survey foot, it has been essential for mapping, transportation planning, and geodetic calculations in the United States. Surveyors and engineers relied on the US survey mile to ensure precise alignment of property boundaries, railroad tracks, and infrastructure projects. Over long distances, even small differences between the US survey and international mile can accumulate significantly, necessitating care in measurement. Though the international mile is now standard, the US survey mile remains important for interpreting historical maps, legal descriptions, and older engineering plans.