the sun

[Rachel22]

How much does the sun weigh?

[pedant]

Mass of sun detailed http://phobos.physics.uiowa.edu/~clang/modern_fall02/ 11sept02.html

but sadly no value for g

 

[brachiopod]

From a few questions ago;

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Science/Question82187.html

 

See second reply.

[bernardo]

Two quintillion kg.

[This post was previously banned in error. Our apologies - AB Editor]

[bernardo]

A while ago I posted an entirely serious and accurate answer, stating that the sun weighs 2 quintillion kilogrammes.  I am noqw astonished to find that it has been "banned" by the editor.  A quintillion is, of course, a million to the power of five (10^30), and 2 quintillion kilogrammes is the accurate and truthful answer to the question.  It may duplicate the answer to which brachiopod has referred, but I consider it to be more helpful to put in a direct answer rather than a link to another answer.

2 quintillion kilogrammes is of course 2000 quadrillion tonnes, if that makes it any clearer.

[rja211077]

since a billion is 10^9 and a trillion is, i believe, 10^12, then a quintillion would be 10^18, no?

[CT]

To put it in context, this is approximately 330,000 times the mass of the earth.

[bernardo]

a million is 10^6

a billion is 10^12

a trillion is 10^18

a quadrillion is 10^24

a quintillion is 10^30

 

It is only the illogical Americans who *INCORRECTLY* think that

a billion is 10^9 (which is in fact a thousand million)

a trillion is 10^12 (which is in fact a billion)

a quadrillion is 10^15 9which is in fact a thousand billion)

etc.

[brachiopod]

 

In 1974 British prime minister Harold Wilson abandoned the use of billion for 10^12, by explaining before the House of Commons the fact that "billion" from now on in British government statistics has the American use i.e. means 10^9.

[JohnPPotts]

The sun weighs nothing - it's in free fall. However, it masses A LOT!