Convert Parsecs to Kiloparsecs
Convert Parsecs (pc) to Kiloparsecs (kpc) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
kpc = pc × 0.001
About Parsecs
A parsec (pc) is approximately 3.26 light years or 30.86 trillion kilometers, defined as the distance at which one astronomical unit subtends an angle of one arcsecond. Despite being less familiar than light years, parsecs are preferred by professional astronomers because they relate directly to stellar parallax measurements - the apparent shift in a star's position as Earth orbits the Sun. Most nearby stars are within a few dozen parsecs, our galaxy is about 30,000 parsecs across, and distant galaxies are measured in millions of parsecs (megaparsecs).
About Kiloparsecs
A kiloparsec (kpc) is 1,000 parsecs or 3,260 light years, making it ideal for measuring distances within galaxies. Our Milky Way galaxy has a diameter of about 30-40 kiloparsecs, and the Sun is located roughly 8 kiloparsecs from the galactic center. Star clusters within our galaxy are typically measured in kiloparsecs. The galactic halo extends several kiloparsecs beyond the visible disk. This unit helps astronomers discuss galactic structures and the distribution of stars, gas, and dark matter within galaxies.
Quick Reference Table
| Parsecs (pc) | Kiloparsecs (kpc) |
|---|---|
| 1 pc | 0.001 kpc |
| 2 pc | 0.002 kpc |
| 5 pc | 0.005 kpc |
| 10 pc | 0.01 kpc |
| 25 pc | 0.025 kpc |
| 50 pc | 0.05 kpc |
| 100 pc | 0.1 kpc |