Astronomical Unit to Micrometer Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert astronomical units to micrometers with our free online length converter.
Astronomical Unit to Micrometer Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Astronomical Unit).
- The converted value in Micrometer will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Length category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Astronomical Unit to Micrometer
Converting Astronomical Unit to Micrometer involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Astronomical Unit = 1.4960e+17 micrometersExample Calculation:
Convert 10 astronomical units: 10 × 1.4960e+17 = 1.4960e+18 micrometers
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Astronomical Unit and a Micrometer?
An astronomical unit is a unit of length roughly equal to the average distance between Earth and the Sun. It is defined as exactly 149,597,870,700 meters.
A micrometer, also known as a micron, is a unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter (1×10⁻⁶ m).
Note: The Astronomical Unit is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Micrometer belongs to the metric (SI) system.
History of the Astronomical Unit and Micrometer
Historically used to measure distances within the Solar System, its value was refined over centuries through astronomical observations. The exact definition was adopted by the IAU in 2012.
The term micron was officially accepted between 1879 and 1967 but later deprecated. Micrometer is the current standard term.
Common Uses for astronomical units and micrometers
Explore the typical applications for both Astronomical Unit (imperial/US) and Micrometer (metric) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for astronomical units
- Measuring distances within the Solar System (e.g., planet orbits)
- Expressing distances to near-Earth objects
Common Uses for micrometers
- Measuring microscopic objects (e.g., bacteria, cells)
- Precision engineering tolerances
- Semiconductor manufacturing
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Astronomical Unit (AU)
Why use Astronomical Units instead of kilometers or miles?
Astronomical Units (AU) provide a more convenient scale for the vast distances within our solar system. Expressing interplanetary distances in km or miles results in extremely large and unwieldy numbers.
How many kilometers/miles is 1 AU?
1 Astronomical Unit (AU) is approximately 149.6 million kilometers or 93 million miles.
How long does it take light to travel 1 AU?
It takes sunlight approximately 8 minutes and 20 seconds to travel the distance of one Astronomical Unit from the Sun to the Earth.
About Micrometer (μm)
Is a micrometer the same as a micron?
Yes, 'micron' is an older, deprecated name for the micrometer (μm). Both refer to one millionth of a meter.
How many micrometers are in a millimeter?
There are 1,000 micrometers (μm) in 1 millimeter (mm).
What are some examples of things measured in micrometers?
Examples include the diameter of human hair (around 50-100 μm), bacteria (typically 1-10 μm), and the thickness of plastic bags.
Conversion Table: Astronomical Unit to Micrometer
| Astronomical Unit (AU) | Micrometer (μm) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 149,600,000,000,000,000 |
| 5 | 748,000,000,000,000,000 |
| 10 | 1,496,000,000,000,000,000 |
| 25 | 3,740,000,000,000,000,000 |
| 50 | 7,480,000,000,000,000,000 |
| 100 | 14,960,000,000,000,000,000 |
| 500 | 74,800,000,000,000,000,000 |
| 1,000 | 149,600,000,000,000,000,000 |