astronomical unit
noun
: a unit of length used in astronomy equal to the mean distance of the earth from the sun or about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers)
Examples of astronomical unit in a Sentence
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The Solar Orbiter ventures between 1 astronomical unit, where the Earth is, and 0.3 astronomical units, a little closer to the Sun than Mercury.
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Yeimy J. Rivera, Discover Magazine, 6 Sep. 2024
Based on their models, its reach would have shrunk to 0.22 astronomical units—or just about a fifth of the distance between the Earth and sun—leaving our planet outside the star’s protective field.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 June 2024
It's probably located somewhere between 500 and 600 astronomical units from the Sun.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week Uk, theweek, 19 Apr. 2024
At its orbital distance of 1 astronomical unit from the sun, Earth receives about 1.4 kilowatts per square meter from sunlight.
—Karl Schroeder, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for astronomical unit 
Yeimy J. Rivera, Discover Magazine, 6 Sep. 2024
Based on their models, its reach would have shrunk to 0.22 astronomical units—or just about a fifth of the distance between the Earth and sun—leaving our planet outside the star’s protective field.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 June 2024
It's probably located somewhere between 500 and 600 astronomical units from the Sun.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week Uk, theweek, 19 Apr. 2024
At its orbital distance of 1 astronomical unit from the sun, Earth receives about 1.4 kilowatts per square meter from sunlight.
—Karl Schroeder, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for astronomical unit
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'astronomical unit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Astronomical unit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astronomical%20unit. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
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