Convert Rod (US Survey) (rd (US)) to Earth's Equatorial Radius (R⊕) instantly.
About these units
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.
Earth's Equatorial Radius (R⊕)
The Earth's equatorial radius is approximately 6,378.1 km. This distance represents the radius measured along the equator, where Earth's rotational bulge makes it slightly larger than the polar radius. Geodesists, cartographers, and astronomers use the equatorial radius for mapping, satellite positioning, and calculating gravitational effects. It is fundamental to defining the shape of the Earth as an oblate spheroid rather than a perfect sphere. Precise knowledge of R⊕ enables accurate navigation, climate modeling, and orbital calculations, forming the basis for modern geodesy and Earth observation systems.