Convert light year to fathom
Please provide values below to convert light year [ly] to fathom [fath], or Convert fathom to light year.
How to Convert Light Year to Fathom
1 ly = 5.17319032840114e+15 fath
Example: convert 15 ly to fath:
15 ly = 15 × 5.17319032840114e+15 fath = 7.75978549260171e+16 fath
Light Year to Fathom Conversion Table
| light year | fathom |
|---|
Light Year
A light-year is the distance that light travels in a vacuum in one Julian year.
History/Origin
The concept of the light-year as a unit of distance in astronomy emerged in the mid-19th century. The first recorded use of the term was in a German astronomical publication in 1851.
Current Use
The light-year is used to express distances to stars and other astronomical objects on a galactic and intergalactic scale, especially in popular science and non-specialist contexts.
Fathom
A fathom is a unit of length equal to 6 feet, used especially for measuring the depth of water.
History/Origin
The term "fathom" comes from the Old English word "fæthm," meaning "outstretched arms," as the distance was originally the span of a man's outstretched arms.
Current Use
The fathom is still used in nautical applications, especially in the United States, to measure water depth. It is also used in commercial fishing to measure the length of lines.