Parsek
Definition & Context
Noun
A word that functions as the name of a specific object or set of objects, such as living creatures, places, actions, qualities, states of existence, or ideas.
A unit of length used in astronomy to express the distances to astronomical objects outside the Solar System, equivalent to the distance at which one astronomical unit subtends an angle of one arcsecond, or approximately 3.26 “light-years”.
Synonyms & Variants
3,26 tahun cahaya
The equivalent value of one parsec in light-years.
parsec
The English loanword commonly used in international astronomical literature.
satuan jarak astronomi
Descriptive term for a unit of length used in astronomy.
pc
Official abbreviation in scientific notation.
tahun cahaya
An alternative unit that is more popular among laypeople.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The term is a portmanteau of parallax second. Its usage is technical and standard in scientific astronomical literature to avoid ambiguities often associated with the use of light-years. Etymologically, the word is borrowed from the English parsec. This unit was first proposed by the British astronomer Herbert Hall Turner in 1913.
Real-world Usage
Proxima Centauri berjarak sekitar 1,3 parsek dari Bumi kita.
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.
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