Parsec Parsec The parsec (symbol: pc) is a unit of length used to measure large distances to astronomical objects outside the Solar System. A parsec is defined as the distance at which one astronomical unit subtends an angle of one arcsecond, which corresponds to astronomical units. One parsec is equal to about 3.26 light-years (30 trillion km or 19 trillion miles) in length. The nearest star, Proxima Centauri, is about from the Sun. Most of the stars visible to the unaided eye in the night sky are within 500 parsecs of the Sun. The parsec unit was probably first suggested in
26-2 of several contrafacts by Coltrane, others including "Countdown" (from the album "Giant Steps" — a contrafact of Miles Davis's "Tune Up", and "Satellite" from the album "Coltrane's Sound" — based upon the Chord progression of "How High the Moon)". Coltrane plays the first statement of the melody on tenor saxophone, and switches to soprano saxophone for the last statement of the melody on the recorded version. "26-2" was also covered and recorded by the following: 26-2 "26-2" is a musical composition written by American Jazz musician John Coltrane. The song was recorded by Coltrane in 1960, but released ten years