Yojana to Parsec Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert yojanas to parsecs with our free online length converter.
Yojana to Parsec Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Yojana).
- The converted value in Parsec 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 Yojana to Parsec
Converting Yojana to Parsec involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Yojana = 4.3750e-13 parsecsExample Calculation:
Convert 10 yojanas: 10 × 4.3750e-13 = 4.3750e-12 parsecs
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.
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What is a Yojana and a Parsec?
The Yojana (Sanskrit: योजन) is an ancient Indian unit of distance, primarily found in historical texts from South Asia. Its exact length is highly debated and likely varied significantly across different time periods, geographical regions, and textual sources.
There is no single, universally accepted conversion to modern units. Common scholarly estimates place its value anywhere between:
- 8 to 15 kilometers (km)
- Approximately 5 to 9 miles (mi)
Some ancient texts define the Yojana in terms of smaller units, such as:
- 4 krosas (or gorutas)
- 8,000 dhanus ('bows')
- 32,000 hastas ('cubits')
However, the lengths of these base units are also subject to historical variation and interpretation, contributing to the uncertainty surrounding the Yojana.
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.
Note: The Yojana is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Parsec belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Yojana and Parsec
- Ancient Origins: The term "Yojana" appears in some of the oldest Indian literature, including the Vedas, the Puranas, and the great epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It was a standard measure for long distances.
- Buddhist Texts: Buddhist scriptures, such as the Pali Canon, frequently use the Yojana to describe geographical distances, the dimensions of mythical realms, or the extent of a Buddha's journey. Different Buddhist traditions sometimes offer varying interpretations of its length.
- Arthashastra: Kautilya's Arthashastra (an ancient treatise on statecraft, c. 3rd century BCE) provides definitions relating the Yojana to smaller units, suggesting a more standardized system for administrative purposes at that time, though its precise value remains debated.
- Lack of Standardization: Unlike modern systems, ancient Indian measurements were not centrally standardized across the vast subcontinent and over long periods. Local customs, royal decrees, and the specific context (e.g., measuring road distance vs. cosmological scale) could all influence the intended length.
- Interpretations: Modern scholars have attempted to calculate the Yojana based on various methods:
- Analyzing travel times mentioned in texts.
- Comparing described geographical distances with known locations.
- Relating it to astronomical measurements found in cosmological texts.
- Working backward from definitions based on smaller, slightly better-understood units like the hasta (cubit) or angula (finger width). These methods often yield conflicting results.
- Obsolescence: With the advent of standardized systems like the Imperial system during British rule and later the widespread adoption of the metric system, the Yojana fell out of practical use for measurement.
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.
Common Uses for yojanas and parsecs
Explore the typical applications for both Yojana (imperial/US) and Parsec (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for yojanas
The Yojana is primarily encountered today in:
- Historical Studies: Understanding ancient Indian geography, trade routes, military campaigns, and administrative divisions described in texts.
- Religious and Literary Studies: Interpreting distances mentioned in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain scriptures, epics, and classical literature. This includes cosmological descriptions, mythological journeys, and the size of ancient kingdoms or structures.
- Cultural Context: It remains a part of the cultural lexicon in discussions related to ancient Indian heritage and texts.
It is not used for any practical, scientific, or commercial measurements in the modern era.
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).
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Yojana (yojana)
What is the accepted value of a Yojana in modern units?
There is no single universally accepted value. Scholarly estimates vary widely, most commonly falling between 8 kilometers (approx. 5 miles) and 15 kilometers (approx. 9 miles). Some interpretations suggest values as low as 5 km or as high as 20 km. The specific text, time period, and region must be considered.
Why is the length of the Yojana so uncertain?
Several factors contribute to the uncertainty:
- Lack of Central Standardization: Ancient India had diverse local measurement practices.
- Evolution Over Time: The definition likely changed over centuries.
- Variable Base Units: The smaller units (like krosa or hasta) used to define it were also not universally fixed.
- Contextual Differences: The term might have been used differently for road distances, land surveys, or cosmological scales.
- Figurative Use: In some literary or religious contexts, the term might have been used symbolically or hyperbolically rather than as a precise measurement.
How does the Yojana relate to other ancient Indian units?
The Yojana was typically the largest unit in a hierarchical system. A common (though not universal) relationship described in texts like the Arthashastra is:
- 1 Yojana = 4 Krosas (or Gorutas)
- 1 Krosa = 1,000 (or sometimes 2,000) Dhanus (bows)
- 1 Dhanus = 4 Hastas (cubits)
- 1 Hasta = 24 Angulas (finger widths)
The uncertainty in the base units (hasta, angula) contributes to the uncertainty in the Yojana.
Is the Yojana still used today?
No, the Yojana is an obsolete unit of measurement. It has not been used for practical purposes for centuries and has been entirely replaced by the metric system (kilometers, meters) in India and other relevant regions. Its relevance is purely historical, literary, and cultural.
Is the Yojana an SI unit?
No, the Yojana is not an SI unit. It is an ancient, traditional unit of distance from the Indian subcontinent. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).
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.
Conversion Table: Yojana to Parsec
| Yojana (yojana) | Parsec (pc) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0 |
| 5 | 0 |
| 10 | 0 |
| 25 | 0 |
| 50 | 0 |
| 100 | 0 |
| 500 | 0 |
| 1,000 | 0 |
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)
- 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)
- Skein (skein)