Parsec (Noun)
Meaning
A unit of astronomical length based on the distance from Earth at which stellar parallax is 1 second of arc; equivalent to 3.262 light years.
Classification
Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure.
Examples
- The galaxy is approximately one hundred thousand parsecs in diameter, making it one of the largest in the observable universe.
- Astronomers use the parsec as a unit of measurement to express the vast distances between stars and other celestial objects.
- The star is located about four parsecs away from Earth, which is relatively close in astronomical terms.
- The parsec is equivalent to about 3.26 light years, making it a convenient unit of measurement for astronomers.
- The distance between the two galaxies is estimated to be around five hundred thousand parsecs, which is an enormous distance even by astronomical standards.