A kiloparsec (kpc) is a unit of distance used in astronomy, equivalent to 1,000 parsecs. A parsec is approximately 3.26 light-years, making a kiloparsec about 3,260 light-years. This measurement is often used to describe distances between stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects in the universe. Kiloparsecs are particularly useful when discussing the scale of large structures, such as the Milky Way galaxy, which is about 15 kiloparsecs in diameter. Astronomers use kiloparsecs to help understand the vastness of space and the relationships between different astronomical entities.