Astronomical Unit to Light-Year Converter
Convert Astronomical Units to Light-Years
Quick Conversions
How to Convert Astronomical Units to Light-Years
To convert from astronomical units (AU) to light-years (ly), you divide the distance in astronomical units by 63,241.1. For more information about astronomical units as a unit of measurement, visit our astronomical units page.
Formula
Light-Years = Astronomical Units / 63,241.1
or
ly = AU / 63,241.1
Step-by-step process
- Take the distance in astronomical units.
- Divide it by 63,241.1.
- The result is the equivalent distance in light-years.
Examples
- 1 AU = 1 / 63,241.1 = 0.0000158 ly
- 10 AU = 10 / 63,241.1 = 0.000158 ly
- 100 AU = 100 / 63,241.1 = 0.00158 ly
- 63,241.1 AU = 63,241.1 / 63,241.1 = 1 ly
When to Convert Astronomical Units to Light-Years
This conversion is useful when discussing distances in the vastness of space, especially for interstellar distances.
Astronomy
Astronomers use light-years to measure distances to stars and galaxies, as astronomical units become too small for such vast scales.
Cosmology
In cosmology, light-years are a fundamental unit for understanding the scale of the universe and the distances to distant celestial objects.
Common Astronomical Units to Light-Years Conversions
Here is a table of common conversions for quick reference:
| Astronomical Units (AU) | Light-Years (ly) | Astronomical Units (AU) | Light-Years (ly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0000158 | 10,000 | 0.1581 |
| 10 | 0.000158 | 20,000 | 0.3162 |
| 100 | 0.001581 | 50,000 | 0.7906 |
| 500 | 0.007906 | 63,241.1 | 1 |
| 1,000 | 0.01581 | 100,000 | 1.581 |
| 5,000 | 0.07906 | 500,000 | 7.906 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an astronomical unit (AU)?
An astronomical unit (AU) is a unit of length, roughly the distance from Earth to the Sun. It is defined as 149,597,870,700 meters.
What is a light-year (ly)?
A light-year is a unit of distance in astronomy, equal to the distance that light travels in one Julian year in vacuum. It is approximately 9.461 trillion kilometers (5.879 trillion miles).
How do I convert light-years to astronomical units?
To convert from light-years to astronomical units, you multiply the distance in light-years by 63,241.1. For example, 0.0001 ly is equal to 0.0001 * 63,241.1 = 6.32411 AU.