Convert Julian Years to Shakes
Convert Julian Years (a_J) to Shakes (sh) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
sh = a_J × 3.155760000e+15
About Julian Years
The Julian year (a_J) = exactly 365.25 days = 31,557,600 s - the IAU standard year for astronomical distances. The light-year is formally 1 ly = c × 1 a_J = 9.461 × 10¹⁵ m (IAU 2012 B2). Julian years differ from Gregorian years by only 648 s (~10.8 min/year); important for high-precision astrometry or calculations spanning centuries. 1 a_J = 365.25 d = 31,557,600 s.
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
| Julian Years (a_J) | Shakes (sh) |
|---|---|
| 1 a_J | 3.156 × 1015 sh |
| 2 a_J | 6.312 × 1015 sh |
| 5 a_J | 1.578 × 1016 sh |
| 10 a_J | 3.156 × 1016 sh |
| 25 a_J | 7.889 × 1016 sh |
| 50 a_J | 1.578 × 1017 sh |
| 100 a_J | 3.156 × 1017 sh |