Convert Sun's Radius (R☉) to Nautical Mile (nmi) instantly.
About these units
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.
Nautical Mile (nmi)
The nautical mile is a unit designed specifically for navigation. Its definition—exactly 1,852 meters—originated from the idea that one nautical mile equals one minute of arc along Earth's meridian. This geometric relationship makes nautical miles incredibly convenient for charting and navigation because latitude coordinates are given in degrees, minutes, and seconds. Aviation and maritime industries use nautical miles exclusively for distance, and knots (nautical miles per hour) for speed. Because Earth's shape and size are fundamental to navigational calculations, using nautical miles avoids the complexities that would arise if statute miles or kilometers were used instead. The unit remains globally standardized and universally understood in professional navigation.