Convert Parsec (pc) to Sun's Radius (R☉) 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.
Sun's Radius (R☉)
The Sun's radius is approximately 696,340 km, representing the distance from the Sun's center to its photosphere. This measure is essential for understanding solar structure, luminosity, and energy output. Stellar astronomers use the Sun's radius as a benchmark for comparing other stars, often expressing their size in multiples of R☉. Precise knowledge of the Sun's radius aids in modeling solar evolution, predicting solar cycles, and calculating irradiance impacting Earth's climate and space weather. It serves as a fundamental scale for both astrophysics and heliophysics.