NASA Observatorium Space Science- Stars

It would be great if we could all agree on a single set of units for measuring length, mass, temperature, etc. Alas, there is no universal authority to dictate which set to use. Different countries have different traditions. This page defines the conversion rules between the English and metric systems for those units that appear in this exhibit:

[length image]

[mass image]

[speed image]

Temperature is measured in degrees Celsius (C) or Kelvin (K) in the metric system of units and in degrees Fahrenheit (F) in the English system of units.

On the Celsius scale (formerly called the centigrade scale), zero degrees corresponds to the melting point of ice at sea level and 100 degrees corresponds to the boiling point of water at sea level. To convert from degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit, multiply degrees Celsius by 9 and divide by 5, then add 32:

Check that this conversion formula gives you 32 degrees Fahrenheit for the melting point of ice and 212 degrees Fahrenheit for the boiling point of water.

The Kelvin scale is similar to the Celsius scale, except its zero point corresponds to the lowest possible temperature (absolute zero). Degrees Kelvin and degrees Celsius are related according to the formula