Convert kiloparsec to light year
Please provide values below to convert kiloparsec [kpc] to light year [ly], or Convert light year to kiloparsec.
1 kpc = 3261.56377694 ly. To convert kiloparsec to light year, multiply the value by 3261.56377694; to go the other way, divide by it (1 ly = 0.000306601393807 kpc). Both units measure length and appear in everyday as well as technical calculations, so switching between them quickly is often useful.
Quick Reference
- 1 kpc = 3261.56377694 ly
- 1 ly = 0.000306601393807 kpc
- 10 kpc = 32615.6377694 ly
- 100 kpc = 326156.377694 ly
How to Convert Kiloparsec to Light Year
1 kpc = 3261.56377694429 ly
Example: convert 15 kpc to ly:
15 kpc = 15 × 3261.56377694429 ly = 48923.4566541644 ly
Kiloparsec to Light Year Conversion Table
| kiloparsec | light year |
|---|---|
| 1 kpc | 3261.56377694 ly |
| 2 kpc | 6523.12755389 ly |
| 3 kpc | 9784.69133083 ly |
| 5 kpc | 16307.8188847 ly |
| 10 kpc | 32615.6377694 ly |
| 20 kpc | 65231.2755389 ly |
| 50 kpc | 163078.188847 ly |
| 100 kpc | 326156.377694 ly |
| 500 kpc | 1630781.88847 ly |
| 1000 kpc | 3261563.77694 ly |
Kiloparsec
A kiloparsec is a unit of distance used in astronomy, equal to one thousand parsecs.
History/Origin
The parsec was first proposed as a unit of distance in 1913 by British astronomer Herbert Hall Turner. The kiloparsec is a multiple of the parsec used for larger astronomical distances.
Current Use
The kiloparsec is used to measure distances to objects within and around the Milky Way galaxy.
Light Year
A light-year is the distance that light travels in a vacuum in one Julian year.
History/Origin
The concept of the light-year as a unit of distance in astronomy emerged in the mid-19th century. The first recorded use of the term was in a German astronomical publication in 1851.
Current Use
The light-year is used to express distances to stars and other astronomical objects on a galactic and intergalactic scale, especially in popular science and non-specialist contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 1 kiloparsec in light year?
1 kiloparsec (kpc) = 3261.56377694 light year (ly).
How do you convert kiloparsec to light year?
Multiply the kiloparsec value by 3261.56377694. For example, 25 kpc × 3261.56377694 = 81539.0944236 ly.
What is 10 kiloparsec in light year?
10 kpc = 32615.6377694 ly.
Which unit is larger, the kiloparsec or the light year?
The kiloparsec is the larger unit: 1 kpc = 3261.56377694 ly.