Parsec to Bolt Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert parsecs to bolts with our free online length converter.
Parsec to Bolt Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Parsec).
- The converted value in Bolt 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 Parsec to Bolt
Converting Parsec to Bolt involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Parsec = 1.0124e+15 boltsExample Calculation:
Convert 10 parsecs: 10 × 1.0124e+15 = 1.0124e+16 bolts
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 Parsec and a Bolt?
The Parsec (symbol pc) is a unit of length used to measure the enormous distances to astronomical objects outside the Solar System. One parsec is defined as the distance at which one astronomical unit (AU) – the average distance between the Earth and the Sun – subtends an angle of one arcsecond (1/3600th of a degree). This corresponds to approximately:
- 3.0857 × 10¹⁶ meters (m)
- 30.857 trillion kilometers (km)
- 19.174 trillion miles (mi)
- 206,264.8 astronomical units (AU)
- 3.26156 light-years (ly)
It is derived directly from the method of trigonometric parallax used by astronomers to measure stellar distances.
A Bolt is a commercial unit of length primarily used for measuring rolls of cloth or fabric. Unlike standardized units like the meter or yard, the length of a bolt is not fixed and can vary significantly depending on the type of material, the manufacturer, the country of origin, and trade customs.
Common lengths often associated with a bolt include:
- 40 yards (approximately 36.58 meters) - Frequently cited, especially for cottons and silks in the US.
- 100 yards (approximately 91.44 meters) - Often used for heavier fabrics like canvas.
- Other lengths such as 30, 50, 60, or 120 yards may also be encountered.
The bolt represents a quantity convenient for wholesale trade, manufacturing, and inventory management rather than a precise scientific measurement.
Note: The Parsec is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Bolt belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Parsec and Bolt
The concept of measuring stellar distances via parallax existed long before the unit itself. The term "parsec" was coined by the British astronomer Herbert Hall Turner in 1913. He sought a convenient unit for astronomers that directly reflected the observational method. The name is a portmanteau derived from "parallax of one arcsecond". It quickly gained acceptance within the astronomical community due to its practical connection to parallax measurements, which were (and still are) a fundamental way to determine distances to nearby stars.
The concept of the bolt emerged from the practical needs of the textile industry. As cloth production scaled up, manufacturers and merchants needed a standardized way to handle, store, and trade large quantities of fabric. Winding cloth onto a roll or board (the "bolt") provided a convenient package.
The length associated with a bolt likely developed through trade customs specific to different types of fabric and regions. There was never a universal legal standard defining its length, leading to the wide variations seen historically and currently. While retail sales shifted towards measurement by the yard or meter, the bolt remained a useful unit in wholesale and industrial contexts. Even with the global adoption of the metric system, the term "bolt" persists in the textile trade as a reference to a full roll of fabric, though the exact length is usually specified separately in yards or meters.
Common Uses for parsecs and bolts
Explore the typical applications for both Parsec (imperial/US) and Bolt (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for parsecs
The parsec is the preferred unit of distance in professional astronomy and astrophysics:
- Stellar Distances: Measuring distances to nearby stars using parallax.
- Galactic Structure: Describing distances within the Milky Way galaxy (often using kiloparsecs, kpc, where 1 kpc = 1000 pc). For example, the Sun is about 8 kpc from the Galactic Center.
- Extragalactic Distances: Measuring distances to other galaxies and galaxy clusters (often using megaparsecs, Mpc, where 1 Mpc = 1,000,000 pc). The Hubble constant, describing the expansion of the universe, is typically expressed in (km/s)/Mpc.
- Cosmology: Discussing large-scale structures and distances in the universe (using Mpc and sometimes gigaparsecs, Gpc, where 1 Gpc = 1000 Mpc).
Common Uses for bolts
The bolt is almost exclusively used within the textile industry:
- Wholesale Trade: Fabric manufacturers sell cloth to distributors or large buyers in bolts.
- Manufacturing: Clothing and upholstery manufacturers purchase fabric by the bolt for production runs.
- Inventory Management: Textile mills, warehouses, and large retailers manage stock using bolts as units.
- Industrial Fabrics: Suppliers of canvas, vinyl, and other industrial textiles often sell material by the bolt.
It is generally not used for retail sales to consumers, where fabric is typically measured and cut to specific lengths (yards or meters) from the bolt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Parsec (pc)
What does 'Parsec' stand for?
Parsec is a blend of "parallax of one arcsecond". It represents the distance at which the parallax angle of a star is exactly one second of arc.
How is a parsec defined?
It's defined based on trigonometry. Imagine a right-angled triangle in space where the short side is the Earth-Sun distance (1 AU). The parsec is the length of the adjacent side when the angle at the distant star (the parallax angle) is exactly one arcsecond.
Is a Parsec bigger than a Light Year?
Yes, one parsec is significantly larger than one light-year.
- 1 Parsec ≈ 3.26 light-years
How many meters or kilometers are in a parsec?
One parsec is approximately:
- 3.0857 × 10¹⁶ meters
- 30.857 trillion kilometers
How many Astronomical Units (AU) are in a parsec?
One parsec is equal to approximately 206,265 AU. This number arises directly from the definition involving radians and arcseconds (specifically, the number of arcseconds in a radian).
Why do astronomers use parsecs instead of light-years?
While both are used, parsecs are often preferred in professional contexts because:
- Direct Observational Link: The parsec is derived directly from the parallax angle, a primary method for measuring distance.
- Historical Convention: It became the standard unit early in the development of stellar distance measurement.
- Convenience: Multiples like kpc and Mpc provide convenient scales for galactic and extragalactic distances.
- Definition Stability: The definition of a light-year depends slightly on the definition of a "year" (e.g., Julian year), whereas the parsec is based on the fixed AU and geometric angles.
Is the parsec an SI unit?
No, the parsec is not an SI unit. The SI unit for length is the meter (m). However, the parsec (along with the astronomical unit and light-year) is recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and is widely accepted for use in astronomy.
About Bolt (bolt)
How long is a bolt of cloth?
There is no single standard length. It depends heavily on the fabric type and manufacturer. Common lengths include:
- 40 yards (~36.58 m)
- 100 yards (~91.44 m)
- Other lengths like 30, 50, 60, or 120 yards are also possible. Always check the specific product information for the actual length of a particular bolt.
How many yards are in a bolt?
Commonly 40 yards or 100 yards, but this is highly variable.
How many meters are in a bolt?
Based on common yard lengths:
- A 40-yard bolt is approximately 36.58 meters.
- A 100-yard bolt is approximately 91.44 meters.
Is the bolt a standardized unit?
No, it is not a standardized unit of length like the yard or meter. It's a commercial trade unit whose length varies.
Is the bolt still used today?
Yes, the term "bolt" is still widely used in the wholesale textile industry and manufacturing contexts to refer to a full roll of fabric, although the precise length is usually specified in yards or meters.
Is this related to the fastener "bolt"?
No, the bolt unit for cloth is completely unrelated to the metal fastener known as a bolt. They share the same name but have entirely different meanings and origins.
Conversion Table: Parsec to Bolt
| Parsec (pc) | Bolt (bolt) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1,012,368,766,404,199.5 |
| 5 | 5,061,843,832,020,997 |
| 10 | 10,123,687,664,041,994 |
| 25 | 25,309,219,160,104,988 |
| 50 | 50,618,438,320,209,976 |
| 100 | 101,236,876,640,419,950 |
| 500 | 506,184,383,202,099,700 |
| 1,000 | 1,012,368,766,404,199,400 |
All Length Conversions
Other Units from Length
- Meter (m)
- Kilometer (km)
- Hectometer (hm)
- Decimeter (dm)
- Centimeter (cm)
- Millimeter (mm)
- Inch (in)
- Foot (ft)
- Yard (yd)
- Mile (mi)
- Nautical Mile (NM)
- Micrometer (μm)
- Nanometer (nm)
- Light Year (ly)
- Astronomical Unit (AU)
- Angstrom (Å)
- Point (Typography) (pt)
- Mil/Thou (mil)
- Fathom (fath)
- Furlong (fur)
- Link (Gunter's) (li)
- Pace (pace)
- Span (span)
- Digit (digit)
- Cable Length (cb)
- Ell (ell)
- Finger (finger)
- Roman Mile (m.p.)
- Stadion (stadion)
- Chi (Chinese) (chi)
- Shaku (Japanese) (shaku)
- Li (Chinese) (li)
- Toise (toise)
- Rope (rope)
- Smoot (smoot)
- Sajene (sajene)
- Ken (ken)
- Wa (wa)
- Vara (vara)
- Aln (aln)
- Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) (cubit)
- Versta (versta)
- Arpent (arpent)
- Ri (Japanese) (ri)
- Klafter (klafter)
- Yojana (yojana)
- Skein (skein)