The Astronomical Unit (AU)

The astronomical unit (AU) is a standard measurement used by astronomers to describe distances within our solar system. It is approximately 149.6 million kilometers (about 93 million miles), representing the average distance from Earth to the Sun. This unit provides a convenient way to express and compare distances between planets and other objects in space, simplifying the complexity of vast cosmic measurements. While not a fixed distance due to Earth's elliptical orbit, the AU serves as a consistent reference point for understanding the scale of our solar system.