How Big Is the Sun?

The Sun’s radius is a staggering 109 times greater than Earth’s, making it a truly massive presence in our solar system. This immense size is complemented by its mass, which is 330,000 times that of Earth and 743 times the total mass of all the planets in the solar system. The Sun’s mass is so significant that it accounts for more than 99 percent of the entire mass of the solar system. This gravitational dominance is what keeps the planets, including Earth, in their orbits around the Sun.

In terms of volume, the Sun is more than a million times larger than Earth. This vastness is matched by the Sun’s surface area, which is about 12,000 times that of Earth. The Sun’s surface, known as the photosphere, is where most of its radiation is emitted. Despite its enormous size, the Sun’s surface appears sharp from Earth because of the vast distance separating us from this fiery giant.

At the core of the Sun, the conditions are extreme, with temperatures reaching at least 15 million kelvins. This is where nuclear fusion occurs, converting hydrogen into helium and releasing energy in the process. The Sun’s core is incredibly dense, about 100 times that of water, and the pressure is 10,000 times greater than at Earth’s center. This energy production is what powers the Sun and provides the light and heat necessary for life on Earth.