From the March 2009 issue

What is a parsec? Why do scientists use this unit instead of light-years?

Robert Garver, Sanford, Florida
By | Published: March 23, 2009 | Last updated on May 18, 2023

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The parsec is a unit of astronomical distance.
  • The parsec's definition is rooted in the parallax effect.
  • The parsec is used to measure large-scale astronomical distances.
  • The parallax effect forms the basis for the parsec's calculation.
Key takeaways sponsored by The Space Store
The parsec is a unit for measuring vast astronomical distances based on the parallax effect.

Up Next