The Sun, while an average-sized star, dwarfs all objects in our Solar System. It comprises 99.8% of the Solar System’s total mass, leaving a mere 0.2% for all planets combined. Just how much bigger is the Sun than Earth? Let’s explore the size difference using various measurements.
Comparing Earth and Sun: Mass, Volume, and Diameter
There are several ways to compare the size of Earth to the Sun: by mass, volume, and diameter. Each method offers a unique perspective on the sheer scale of our star.
Mass Comparison
The Sun’s mass is approximately 1,988,500 x 10^24 kg, while Earth’s mass is about 5.9724 x 10^24 kg. This means the Sun is roughly 333,000 times more massive than Earth.
Volume Comparison
In terms of volume, the Sun measures around 1,412,000 x 10^12 km^3, whereas Earth’s volume is approximately 1.083 x 10^12 km^3. Consequently, you could theoretically fit about 1.3 million Earths inside the Sun, assuming you could compress them perfectly with no empty space.
An image of the Sun captured by NASA
An image of the Sun’s surface, showcasing its immense size relative to Earth. Captured by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.
Diameter Comparison
The Sun boasts a diameter of 1,392,000 km (864,000 miles), while Earth’s diameter is a comparatively small 12,742 km (7,917 miles). This vast difference means you could line up approximately 109 Earths across the Sun’s diameter.
Further emphasizing the size disparity, the Sun’s surface area is an astonishing 12,000 times larger than Earth’s.
Comparing Other Planets to the Sun
The immense size difference isn’t limited to Earth. Even the largest and smallest planets in our Solar System are dwarfed by the Sun.
Jupiter and Mercury
Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, has a mass 318 times that of Earth. Even so, around 1,000 Jupiters could fit inside the Sun. On the other end of the spectrum, it would take approximately 21.2 million Mercurys, the smallest planet, to fill the Sun.
Pluto and the Moon
Dwarf planet Pluto, possessing only 1% of Earth’s mass, highlights the Sun’s immense scale. Over 200 million Plutos would be needed to equal the Sun’s mass. Similarly, our Moon, significantly smaller and less massive than Earth, would need to be multiplied 64.3 million times to match the Sun’s mass.
Conclusion
The Earth is minuscule compared to the Sun. Whether measured by mass, volume, or diameter, the Sun’s immense size underscores its dominance within our Solar System. Even the largest planets pale in comparison, solidifying the Sun as the true giant of our celestial neighborhood.
