Astronomical Unit to Nautical Mile Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert astronomical units to nautical miles with our free online length converter.
Astronomical Unit to Nautical Mile Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Astronomical Unit).
- The converted value in Nautical Mile 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 Nautical Mile
Converting Astronomical Unit to Nautical Mile involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Astronomical Unit = 8.0778e+7 nautical milesExample Calculation:
Convert 10 astronomical units: 10 × 8.0778e+7 = 8.0778e+8 nautical miles
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 Nautical Mile?
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 nautical mile is a unit of length used in marine and air navigation. It is defined as exactly 1,852 meters.
Note: The Astronomical Unit is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Nautical Mile belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Astronomical Unit and Nautical Mile
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 nautical mile originated from the length of one minute of arc of latitude along any meridian. It was standardized internationally in 1929.
Common Uses for astronomical units and nautical miles
Explore the typical applications for both Astronomical Unit (imperial/US) and Nautical Mile (imperial/US) 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 nautical miles
- Marine navigation
- Air navigation
- Charting distances over water or air
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 Nautical Mile (NM)
Why is a nautical mile different from a statute mile?
A statute mile (used on land, 1609.344 meters) is based on historical measurements. A nautical mile (1852 meters) is derived from the Earth's circumference (1 minute of latitude) and simplifies navigation calculations.
How many feet are in a nautical mile?
One nautical mile is approximately 6076.115 feet.
What is a knot in relation to a nautical mile?
A knot is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour. It's commonly used in maritime and aviation contexts.
Conversion Table: Astronomical Unit to Nautical Mile
| Astronomical Unit (AU) | Nautical Mile (NM) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 80,777,537.797 |
| 5 | 403,887,688.985 |
| 10 | 807,775,377.97 |
| 25 | 2,019,438,444.924 |
| 50 | 4,038,876,889.849 |
| 100 | 8,077,753,779.698 |
| 500 | 40,388,768,898.488 |
| 1,000 | 80,777,537,796.976 |