Convert kilometer to Earth's polar radius
Please provide values below to convert kilometer [km] to Earth's polar radius [R_p], or Convert Earth's polar radius to kilometer.
How to Convert Kilometer to Earth's Polar Radius
1 km = 0.000157313035463093 R_p
Example: convert 15 km to R_p:
15 km = 15 × 0.000157313035463093 R_p = 0.0023596955319464 R_p
Kilometer to Earth's Polar Radius Conversion Table
| kilometer | Earth's polar radius |
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Kilometer
A kilometer is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to one thousand meters.
History/Origin
The term "kilometer" is derived from the Greek words "khilioi" (thousand) and "metron" (measure). The kilometer was first defined as part of the metric system in France in 1795.
Current Use
The kilometer is the most widely used unit of distance for road signs and travel distances in the world, with the notable exceptions of the United States and the United Kingdom.
Earth's Polar Radius
The Earth's polar radius is the distance from the center of the Earth to the North or South Pole, approximately 6,356.8 kilometers.
History/Origin
The fact that the Earth is an oblate spheroid, flattened at the poles, has been known since the 18th century. Modern measurements are made with high precision.
Current Use
The Earth's polar radius is a key parameter in geodesy and is used to define the Earth's shape and gravitational field.