Convert Gigayears to Shakes
Convert Gigayears (Ga) to Shakes (sh) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
sh = Ga × 3.155695200e+24
About Gigayears
A gigayear (1 Ga) = 10⁹ yr ≈ 3.156 × 10¹⁶ s - the timescale of stellar evolution and cosmology. Universe age: 13.787 ± 0.020 Ga (Planck CMB). Sun: 4.603 Ga old; red giant in ~5 Ga. A 0.1 M☉ red dwarf lives ~10,000 Ga. Uranium-238 half-life = 4.468 Ga (used in radiometric dating). Proton decay (GUT prediction): ~10³⁴ yr = ~10²⁵ Ga. 1 Ga = 10⁹ yr.
About Shakes
A shake = exactly 10 ns (10⁻⁸ s) - the informal unit for fission prompt-neutron generation time, coined at Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project (1943-1945). A prompt-neutron generation in a supercritical core takes ~1-10 shakes; a full explosive chain reaction unfolds over ~50-100 shakes. The name alludes to 'two shakes of a lamb's tail'. Still used in reactor physics and weapons-design calculations. 1 shake = 10 ns.
Quick Reference Table
| Gigayears (Ga) | Shakes (sh) |
|---|---|
| 1 Ga | 3.156 × 1024 sh |
| 2 Ga | 6.311 × 1024 sh |
| 5 Ga | 1.578 × 1025 sh |
| 10 Ga | 3.156 × 1025 sh |
| 25 Ga | 7.889 × 1025 sh |
| 50 Ga | 1.578 × 1026 sh |
| 100 Ga | 3.156 × 1026 sh |