What is the general rule of thumb for choosing between $ ext{AU}$ and $ ext{pc}$ usage context?
Answer
AU for the Solar System, pc for the stars.
The choice of unit depends on context: $ ext{AU}$ is used for mapping objects within a single star system, while parsecs are used when measuring the separation between nearby stars.
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PARSECS, Light Years, or AU? (Astronomy) - YouTube
Related Questions
Which unit dwarfs the other when comparing Astronomical Units and parsecs?What distance does the Astronomical Unit ($ ext{AU}$) fundamentally represent?What concepts are contracted to form the name 'parsec'?In the geometric definition of a parsec, what length serves as the short leg of the right triangle used?Why is using $ ext{AU}$ impractical for describing interstellar distances like that to Proxima Centauri?Approximately how many Astronomical Units comprise one parsec?According to the text, how does the parsec compare in magnitude to the light-year ($ ext{ly}$)?What is the general rule of thumb for choosing between $ ext{AU}$ and $ ext{pc}$ usage context?Which unit is introduced to measure distances within the Milky Way, such as the $8 ext{ kpc}$ distance to the galactic center?What is the standard unit for measuring intergalactic distances, like the distance to Andromeda ($ ext{0.78 Mpc}$)?