Because it is a large measurement to measure a large distance (there would be immense amoughts of zeros behind a measurement like that given in miles, yet a lightyear is much too large). It is simply the right unit to measure distances that large.
(1) Parsecs (as well as light-years) are conveniently large. (2) Parsecs are closely related to - or easily calculated from - the parallax method, a method often used to find out the distance of nearby stars.
An astronomical unit (AU) - is equivalent ti the distance form the Earth to the Sun. That's a distance of 93,000,000 miles (150,000,000 Kilometres). Due to the vast amount of space between planets & galaxies - It's easier to quote distances in AU rather than miles or Kilometres. Far easier to write 1AUthan 93,000,000 miles.
so we can get the right measurements in space
Because space is infinite (supposedly) scientists must use a unit of measuring distance in space that is fairly large.
1 Astronomical Unit (AU) is equal to 149 598 000 km.
What measure?
If you mean AU, then it is because it is easier than using KM or miles, which have a lot of zeros.
meters, feet, and even miles are way too small to measure distances in space. astronomical units are mostly used to measure distances in our solar system. light years are used to measure the distances of things further away from our solar system.
measuring distances in the solar system.
You can use kilometers if you like. On the other hand, distances within the Solar System are often quoted in AU (astronomical units), where 1 astronomical unit is the distance from Sun to Earth. Such distances are easier to visualize.
Objects in the solar system are much smaller than a light year. Light takes only minutes or hours to pass from one planet to another. To measure interplanetary distances in light years would be like measuring the sizes of insects in miles. Usually, though, rather than light hours and light minutes, distances in the solar system are measured in Astronomical Units (AU), which is average distance between Earth and the sun, about eight light minutes.
Because the measurement of the solar system requires large numbers. It's far easier to use an Astronomical Unit (AU) than quote distances in miles. For example - the mean distance from the Earth to the sun is 93,000,000 miles. It's much easier to quote that distance as 1AU (It takes up less space on paper too !).
meters, feet, and even miles are way too small to measure distances in space. astronomical units are mostly used to measure distances in our solar system. light years are used to measure the distances of things further away from our solar system.
This unit is mainly used for distances within the Solar System.
. . . . . . . . . .Scientists mainly use Astrological Units [abbre. AU ] to measure distances within the Solar System. 1 Astrological Unit is somewhere around 49,580,000 - 49,590,000 kilometers, or roughly 49,600,000 kilometers if you prefer to round up.- S0L+++AstroNOMICAL, NOT Astrological!Astronomy is the science, using Astronomical Units.Astrology is collective name for an assortment of similar, semi-religious beliefs.. . . . . . . . . .
the distance is measured in LIGHTYEARS.
The Astronomical unit is used to measure the large distances in our solar system. It is roughly the average distance between the Earth and the Sun.
measuring distances in the solar system.
Astronomical Units are too small to be a useful unit of measure, therefore light years are used.
measuring distances in the solar system
You can use kilometers if you like. On the other hand, distances within the Solar System are often quoted in AU (astronomical units), where 1 astronomical unit is the distance from Sun to Earth. Such distances are easier to visualize.
Use "Astronomical UNit" or AU when discussing distances within the solar system. Use "light year" when talking about the distances between stars.
no the measure it in AU'S =ASTRONOMICAL UNITS
The unit used is usually the Astronomical Unit (AU), which is the average distance from the earth to the sun, and is approx 150 million km.