How many times sun bigger than earth
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
How Much Bigger is the Sun Compared to Earth?
Understanding the size difference between the Sun and Earth is crucial for grasping the scale of our solar system. Historical and modern measurements provide insights into this comparison.
Historical Measurements of the Sun's Size
Ancient Greek philosopher Anaximander made early attempts to measure the size of the Sun relative to Earth. He proposed that the Sun was an ejection of light or fire from an opening in a wheel-like structure revolving around the Earth. According to his measurements, the Sun's diameter was either 27 or 28 times that of Earth, with the difference potentially representing the inner and outer diameters of this hypothetical wheel1.
Modern Understanding of the Sun's Magnitude
In contemporary science, the Sun is recognized as the primary source of energy for Earth, vastly overshadowing all other external energy sources. The Sun provides energy to Earth that is more than 3700 times greater than all other external sources combined, including heat from Earth's interior. Even after accounting for the absorption of solar radiation by Earth's atmosphere, the Sun's energy contribution remains more than 2600 times larger than all other sources2.
Conclusion
While Anaximander's ancient measurements suggested the Sun was 27 to 28 times the size of Earth, modern science provides a more comprehensive understanding of the Sun's immense energy contribution to our planet. This highlights the Sun's critical role in sustaining life and driving Earth's climate and weather systems.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Anaximander's Measurements
Anaximander's measurements of the sun's diameter are based on the assumption that the sun's rim thickness is the same as the earth's diameter, resulting in a difference of two units between the inner and outer diameters.
Where does Earth’s atmosphere get its energy?
The Sun provides more than 2600 times more energy to Earth than the sum of all other external sources, making it the primary source of energy for the atmosphere.
Cloud Illusions and the Perfect Day
The Sun is the primary source of energy for life on Earth, and its influence on our environment is crucial for understanding the effects of climate change on our planet.
Prevalence of Earth-size planets orbiting Sun-like stars
22% of Sun-like stars harbor Earth-size planets orbiting in their habitable zones, with the nearest such planet potentially within 12 light-years.
Highly CitedThe Two Earths of Eratosthenes
Eratosthenes' 252,000 stades result for the Earth's circumference follows from his estimate of the solar distance, suggesting he computed both a lower and an upper limit for the Earth's size.
Occurrence and core-envelope structure of 1–4× Earth-size planets around Sun-like stars
Small, 1–4 Earth-size planets are extremely common around Sun-like stars, with 26% having them with orbital periods under 100 days, and 11% receiving 1–4 the incident stellar light that warms our Earth.
Highly CitedA rocky planet transiting a nearby low-mass star
GJ 1132b, a 1.2 Earth-radii planet transiting a nearby low-mass star, has a density consistent with an Earth-like bulk composition, but is too hot for habitability and cool enough to support a substantial atmosphere.
Rigorous JournalHighly Cited