Earth vs. Sun

Attribute	Earth	Sun
Size	12,742 km diameter	1,391,000 km diameter
Distance from Earth	N/A	149.6 million km
Composition	Rocky, with iron core	Mainly hydrogen and helium
Temperature	Average of 15°C	Average of 5,500°C
Gravity	9.8 m/s²	274 m/s²

Size

Earth is the third planet from the Sun and has a diameter of about 12,742 kilometers. In comparison, the Sun is a massive star with a diameter of about 1.4 million kilometers. This makes the Sun about 109 times wider than Earth. The size of the Sun allows it to hold about 99.8% of the total mass of our solar system, while Earth only makes up a tiny fraction of that mass.

Composition

Earth is a rocky planet with a solid surface made up of various elements such as iron, oxygen, silicon, and magnesium. It also has a thin atmosphere composed mainly of nitrogen and oxygen. On the other hand, the Sun is a giant ball of hot gases, primarily hydrogen and helium. The Sun's core is where nuclear fusion reactions take place, producing immense amounts of energy that radiate out into space.

Temperature

Earth has a wide range of temperatures depending on the location and time of year. The average surface temperature is around 15 degrees Celsius, but it can vary from below freezing in polar regions to scorching hot in deserts. In contrast, the Sun's surface temperature is about 5,500 degrees Celsius, while the core temperature reaches an incredible 15 million degrees Celsius. The Sun's intense heat is what powers its nuclear fusion reactions.

Distance from Earth

Earth is located about 93 million miles away from the Sun, which is known as one astronomical unit (AU). This distance is crucial for supporting life on our planet, as it allows for the right amount of sunlight and warmth to reach Earth. The Sun, of course, is at the center of our solar system and provides light and heat to all the planets, including Earth. Its gravitational pull keeps Earth and the other planets in orbit around it.

Life

Earth is the only known planet in our solar system to support life. It has a diverse range of ecosystems, from oceans to forests to deserts, that are home to millions of species. The presence of liquid water, a breathable atmosphere, and a stable climate are all factors that make Earth habitable. On the other hand, the Sun is a star and does not support life as we know it. It is essential for providing energy to Earth, but it is not a living organism.

Gravity

Earth has a gravitational pull that keeps everything on its surface grounded. This force is what keeps us from floating off into space and gives us weight. The strength of Earth's gravity is about 9.8 meters per second squared. In comparison, the Sun's gravity is much stronger due to its massive size. The Sun's gravity is about 28 times stronger than Earth's, which is why all the planets in our solar system orbit around it.

Age

Earth is estimated to be about 4.5 billion years old, making it relatively young compared to the Sun. The Sun, on the other hand, is about 4.6 billion years old and is considered middle-aged for a star. Stars like the Sun have a lifespan of about 10 billion years, so it still has several billion years left before it reaches the end of its life cycle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Earth and the Sun are two vastly different celestial bodies with unique attributes that make them essential to our solar system. Earth is a small rocky planet that supports a wide variety of life, while the Sun is a massive star that provides light and heat to all the planets. Understanding the differences between Earth and the Sun can help us appreciate the complexity and beauty of our solar system.