Sidereal Day to Decade Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert sidereal days to decades with our free online time converter.
Sidereal Day to Decade Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Sidereal Day).
- The converted value in Decade will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Time category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Sidereal Day to Decade
Converting Sidereal Day to Decade involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Sidereal Day = 0.000273043 decadesExample Calculation:
Convert 60 sidereal days: 60 × 0.000273043 = 0.0163826 decades
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 Sidereal Day and a Decade?
A sidereal day is the time it takes for the Earth to complete one full rotation on its axis relative to the distant, fixed stars. It is approximately 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.091 seconds long. This is slightly shorter than the 24-hour solar day, which is based on the Earth's rotation relative to the Sun.
A decade is a unit of time equal to 10 consecutive years. It is commonly used to group years for historical, cultural, or statistical analysis, often referring to periods like the 1980s or 2010s.
Note: The Sidereal Day is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Decade belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Sidereal Day and Decade
The concept of the sidereal day originates from ancient astronomy. Early astronomers observed that the stars appeared to return to the same position in the sky slightly earlier each day when measured against the Sun's cycle. This discrepancy led to the understanding that the Earth's rotation period relative to the background stars (sidereal) was different from its rotation period relative to the Sun (solar). Accurate measurement of the sidereal day became crucial for precise astronomical observations and timekeeping, allowing astronomers to predict the positions of celestial objects.
The term "decade" originates from the Ancient Greek word "dekas" (δέκας), meaning a group of ten, which passed into Latin as "decem" and then into English. Its application specifically to a ten-year period became standard alongside the development and use of calendar systems for tracking longer spans of time.
Common Uses for sidereal days and decades
Explore the typical applications for both Sidereal Day (imperial/US) and Decade (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for sidereal days
The sidereal day and sidereal time are primarily used in:
- Astronomy: To point telescopes accurately at celestial objects. Astronomical observatories use sidereal clocks to know when specific stars or galaxies will be overhead or in a particular position for observation.
- Astrophysics: For calculations involving celestial mechanics and the timing of astronomical events.
- Satellite Tracking: Used in calculations for positioning and tracking artificial satellites in Earth orbit.
- Geodesy: For precise measurements related to the Earth's rotation and orientation in space.
It is generally not used for civil timekeeping, which relies on the solar day.
Common Uses for decades
Decades are frequently used for:
- Historical periods: Referring to specific ten-year periods, typically starting with a year ending in '0' (e.g., the 1990s refers to the years 1990-1999).
- Trend analysis: Discussing cultural, social, economic, or political trends that characterize a ten-year span.
- Anniversaries: Marking significant anniversaries known as decennials (10th anniversaries).
- Data analysis: Grouping data in demographic studies, historical analysis, and long-term planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Sidereal Day (sidereal day)
How long is a sidereal day in standard time?
A mean sidereal day is approximately 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.091 seconds (or about 86,164.091 seconds). This is roughly 3 minutes and 56 seconds shorter than a standard 24-hour solar day.
Why is a sidereal day shorter than a solar day?
A sidereal day measures Earth's rotation relative to distant stars. A solar day measures rotation relative to the Sun. As the Earth rotates, it also orbits the Sun. After one full rotation relative to the stars (one sidereal day), the Earth has moved slightly along its orbit. It needs to rotate a little bit further (about 1 degree, taking nearly 4 minutes) to bring the Sun back to the same apparent position in the sky (completing a solar day).
Is sidereal time the same everywhere on Earth?
No, just like solar time, local sidereal time depends on your longitude. At any given moment, different locations on Earth will have different local sidereal times, corresponding to which part of the celestial sphere is currently crossing their local meridian. However, the duration of a sidereal day is the same everywhere.
About Decade (dec)
How many years are in one decade?
A decade is defined as exactly 10 years.
How are decades typically named or referred to?
Decades are commonly referred to by the century and the tens digit of the years they encompass, such as "the 1980s" (1980-1989) or "the 2020s" (2020-2029). The first decade of a century (e.g., 2000-2009) is sometimes called "the noughties" or "the aughts".
Is the decade an SI unit?
No, the decade is not a unit within the International System of Units (SI). The base SI unit for time is the second. While widely used in historical and cultural contexts, scientific measurements typically use seconds, years (often Julian years for consistency), or larger multiples like kiloyears (kyr) or megayears (Myr).
Conversion Table: Sidereal Day to Decade
| Sidereal Day (sidereal day) | Decade (dec) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0 |
| 5 | 0.001 |
| 10 | 0.003 |
| 25 | 0.007 |
| 50 | 0.014 |
| 100 | 0.027 |
| 500 | 0.137 |
| 1,000 | 0.273 |