What is a sidereal day?

A sidereal day is the time Earth takes to complete one rotation relative to distant stars, approximately 23 hours 56 minutes and 4.091 seconds.

Why use seconds instead of sidereal days?

Seconds, as an SI unit, provide a standardized and precise measurement for scientific calculations and timekeeping systems.

Can I use this conversion for everyday time measurement?

This conversion is specialized for astronomy and scientific uses, not everyday solar timekeeping due to differences between sidereal and solar days.

How to Convert from Day (sidereal) to Second [s]

Convert time measurements from a sidereal day to seconds using our easy-to-use online converter. Understand the definition and use cases of sidereal days and seconds.

Day (sidereal)

Second [s]

Please check your input. It must be a valid numeric value.

Day (sidereal) to Second [s] Conversion Table

Day (sidereal)	Second [s]

Custom Unit Conversion Table Generator – Instant Printable Conversion Tables

Start Value

Enter the starting number (positive decimal or integer ≥ 0). Example: 0.1, 1, 5.

End Value

Enter the ending number (positive decimal or integer > Start Value). Example: 10, 50, 100.

Interval

Enter the step size (positive decimal > 0 and < End Value – Start Value). Example: 1.0, 2.5.

Day (sidereal) to Second [s] Conversion Table
Day (sidereal)	Second [s]

Explore More Time Units Converter

What Is This Tool?

This converter allows you to transform time values expressed in sidereal days into seconds, using the precise relationship between these units important for astronomy and scientific timing.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the value in day (sidereal) you want to convert.
Select 'day (sidereal)' as the input unit and 'second [s]' as the output unit.
Click convert to see the equivalent time in seconds.

Key Features

Converts sidereal days to standard seconds based on an exact conversion factor.
Browser-based, simple user interface for quick conversions.
Supports scientific and everyday use cases involving accurate time measurements.

Examples

1 day (sidereal) equals 86,164.09 seconds.
0.5 day (sidereal) converts to 43,082.045 seconds.

Common Use Cases

Astronomical telescope mount settings for sidereal tracking.
Translating right ascension measurements to local sidereal time in observation planning.
Calculating Earth's rotation periods for astrometry and celestial mechanics.
Enabling precise timing synchronization in GPS and atomic clock systems.

Tips & Best Practices

Ensure you account for the difference between sidereal and solar days in time-sensitive calculations.
Use the exact value of 86,164.09 seconds per sidereal day for accurate scientific work.
Apply this converter when dealing with astronomy and time synchronization applications that require sidereal time.

Limitations

Sidereal day duration differs from the solar day by approximately four minutes, which can cause errors if not considered.
Do not use this converter for solar-based time applications without adjustments.
Accuracy depends on using the provided sidereal day length precisely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a sidereal day?: A sidereal day is the time Earth takes to complete one rotation relative to distant stars, approximately 23 hours 56 minutes and 4.091 seconds.
Why use seconds instead of sidereal days?: Seconds, as an SI unit, provide a standardized and precise measurement for scientific calculations and timekeeping systems.
Can I use this conversion for everyday time measurement?: This conversion is specialized for astronomy and scientific uses, not everyday solar timekeeping due to differences between sidereal and solar days.

Key Terminology

Day (sidereal): The period Earth takes to rotate once relative to distant stars, about 23h 56m 4.091s.
Second [s]: The SI base unit of time, defined by atomic transitions in the cesium-133 atom.
Sidereal Tracking: The process of moving telescopes at a sidereal rate to follow stars' apparent motion.

Quick Knowledge Check

What does one sidereal day measure?

Time Earth takes to orbit the Sun

Time Earth takes to complete one rotation relative to distant stars

Time between two solar noons

What is the conversion rate from one sidereal day to seconds?

86,400 seconds

86,164.09 seconds

88,000 seconds

Why is the sidereal day different from the solar day?

Because of Earth's elliptical orbit

Because sidereal day measures rotation relative to stars, not the Sun

Because of time zone variations

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