Attoparsec

2 definitions found

From Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001) [jargon]:

  attoparsec n. About an inch. `atto-' is the standard SI prefix for
     multiplication by 10^(-18). A parsec (parallax-second) is 3.26
     light-years; an attoparsec is thus 3.26 * 10^(-18) light years, or about
     3.1 cm (thus, 1 attoparsec/{microfortnight} equals about 1 inch/sec).
     This unit is reported to be in use (though probably not very seriously)
     among hackers in the U.K. See {micro-}.


  
  

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  attoparsec
       
           About 31 mm (one inch).  "atto-" is the
          standard {SI} {prefix} for multiplication by 10^-18.  A parsec
          (parallax-second) is 3.26 light-years; an attoparsec is thus
          3.26 * 10^-18 light years.  Thus, one attoparsec per
          {microfortnight} is about one inch per second.
       
          This unit is reported to be in use (though probably not very
          seriously) among hackers in the UK.
       
          [{Jargon File}]
       
          (1996-12-08)