Google Can't Math Parsecs
4 hours ago
- #Astronomy Unit Conversion
- #Google Calculator Bug
- #Parsec Definition
- Google's calculator has a bug when performing math with parsecs, returning an incorrect value.
- A parsec is defined as 1 astronomical unit (AU) per arcsecond, using the small-angle approximation in radians.
- Searching '1 parsec in meters' gives the correct result of 3e16 meters, but mathematical operations trigger an incorrect value of 5e14 meters.
- The error is off by a factor of 57.3, which corresponds to the number of degrees in a radian, suggesting confusion between degrees and radians in unit conversion.
- Examples show inconsistent results, such as '1 AU / 1 arcsecond in meters' yielding 5e14, but asking for it in parsecs gives 1 parsec, highlighting the inconsistency.