What distance specifically defines one Astronomical Unit (AU)?
Answer
The average distance between the Earth and the Sun
The Astronomical Unit (AU) is established as a foundational unit for measuring distances within our solar system. It is defined precisely as the mean or average separation between the center of the Earth and the center of the Sun. This standard distance serves as a local yardstick, allowing astronomers to map the orbits of planets, such as noting Jupiter's orbit is approximately $5.2 ext{ AU}$ out. While it has a defined quantitative value, approximately $149,597,870.7$ kilometers, its conceptual definition remains rooted in the Earth-Sun relationship, making it highly convenient for solar system navigation and measurement, contrasting sharply with interstellar units.
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