Convert X-unit (X) to Gigameter (Gm) instantly.
About these units
X-unit (X)
The X-unit is an extremely small length, approximately 1.002 × 10⁻¹³ meters, historically used to express X-ray and gamma-ray wavelengths. The unit was invented before modern standards for measuring electromagnetic wavelengths existed, allowing scientists to describe extremely short wavelengths without resorting to scientific notation. X-units were valuable in crystallography and atomic physics in the early 20th century, enabling precise description of spectral lines emitted by X-ray sources. Although modern practice has largely replaced the X-unit with the nanometer or picometer, it continues to appear in historical literature. The unit's existence highlights how scientific progress shapes measuring conventions. Once essential, the X-unit now serves as a bridge to the history of early atomic research.
Gigameter (Gm)
A gigameter, one billion meters (10⁹ m), moves firmly into interplanetary territory. Astronomers use gigameters to express distances within the solar system, such as the average separation between planets or the orbital paths of spacecraft. For example, the Earth–Moon distance (~384,000 km) can be expressed as 0.384 Gm, and distances to nearby planets often fall in the range of tens or hundreds of gigameters depending on orbital positions. The gigameter is particularly useful in scientific models where distances are massive but still fall short of interstellar scales. It reduces the need for unwieldy scientific notation and gives researchers a manageable unit for calculations involving gravitational fields, orbital dynamics, and space mission planning.