Parsec to Link (Gunter's) Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert parsecs to links with our free online length converter.
Parsec to Link (Gunter's) Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Parsec).
- The converted value in Link (Gunter's) 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 Link (Gunter's)
Converting Parsec to Link (Gunter's) involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Parsec = 1.5339e+17 linksExample Calculation:
Convert 10 parsecs: 10 × 1.5339e+17 = 1.5339e+18 links
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 Link (Gunter's)?
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.
The Link, specifically Gunter's Link (symbol li), is a unit of length historically used in surveying, particularly within the imperial and U.S. customary systems. It is defined as exactly 1/100th of a Gunter's chain.
One Gunter's link is equivalent to:
- 0.01 Gunter's chains
- 7.92 inches (in)
- 0.66 feet (ft) (exactly 2/3 of a foot)
- 0.22 yards (yd)
- 0.04 rods (also called poles or perches)
- 0.201168 meters (m) (exactly)
- 20.1168 centimeters (cm)
A Gunter's chain itself measures 66 feet, 22 yards, 4 rods, or 20.1168 meters.
Note: The Parsec is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Link (Gunter's) belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Parsec and Link (Gunter's)
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 link, as part of Gunter's chain, was devised by the English clergyman and mathematician Edmund Gunter around 1620. He introduced a measuring chain that was 66 feet long and divided into 100 links. This system was revolutionary for surveyors because its decimal nature (100 links per chain) simplified calculations, especially for area. Land area could be easily calculated in square chains and then converted to acres, as 10 square chains equal exactly 1 acre. Gunter's chain and its links became the standard tools for land surveying in England and later throughout the British Empire and the United States for centuries.
Common Uses for parsecs and links
Explore the typical applications for both Parsec (imperial/US) and Link (Gunter's) (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 links
The Gunter's link is now largely obsolete but was historically significant:
- Land Surveying: It was the fundamental unit for measuring property boundaries and land parcels in English-speaking countries for over 300 years.
- Cartography: Used in creating maps and plats based on surveys.
- Land Records: Measurements in links (and chains) frequently appear in older property deeds, historical surveys, and legal descriptions of land. Understanding the link is crucial for interpreting these documents.
- Agriculture: The system was tied to the definition of the acre, a common unit of land area.
Its use declined dramatically with the adoption of the metric system and the advent of more precise surveying technologies like steel tapes, theodolites, Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM), and GPS.
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 Link (Gunter's) (li)
How long is a Gunter's Link?
One Gunter's Link is equal to:
- 7.92 inches
- 0.66 feet (2/3 ft)
- 0.201168 meters
- 20.1168 centimeters
How many links are in a Gunter's chain?
There are exactly 100 links in one Gunter's chain.
How long is a Gunter's Chain?
One Gunter's chain is equal to:
- 100 links
- 66 feet
- 22 yards
- 4 rods (or poles, perches)
- 1/10th of a furlong
- 1/80th of a statute mile
- 20.1168 meters
How does the link relate to the acre?
The link is directly related to the acre through the Gunter's chain. An acre is defined as 10 square chains. Since 1 chain = 100 links:
- 1 acre = 10 × (100 links)² = 10 × 10,000 square links = 100,000 square links. This decimal relationship greatly simplified area calculations for surveyors using the chain.
Is the link an SI unit?
No, the Gunter's link is not an SI unit. It is part of the traditional imperial and U.S. customary systems. The corresponding SI unit for length is the meter (m).
Is the Gunter's link still used today?
No, the Gunter's link is rarely used in modern surveying practice. Its primary relevance today is in historical contexts, particularly when interpreting old land deeds, surveys, and maps created using Gunter's system. Modern surveying relies on meters or feet, measured with advanced electronic equipment.
Why was it called a 'link'?
It was called a 'link' because Gunter's chain was literally constructed from 100 physical metal links connected by rings. Each link served as a unit of measurement.
Conversion Table: Parsec to Link (Gunter's)
| Parsec (pc) | Link (Gunter's) (li) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 153,389,207,030,939,300 |
| 5 | 766,946,035,154,696,600 |
| 10 | 1,533,892,070,309,393,200 |
| 25 | 3,834,730,175,773,482,500 |
| 50 | 7,669,460,351,546,965,000 |
| 100 | 15,338,920,703,093,930,000 |
| 500 | 76,694,603,515,469,660,000 |
| 1,000 | 153,389,207,030,939,320,000 |
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)
- 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)
- Bolt (bolt)
- 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)