How big is our solar system compared to our galaxy
The size of our solar system compared to the Milky Way galaxy is quite small. Our solar system has a diameter of 287.46 billion km, which is about 160 million times smaller than the Milky Way1. Traveling at the speed of light, it would take 100,000 years to cross the Milky Way, while crossing the solar system would take only 3.2 years2.
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6 FAQs about [How big is our solar system compared to our galaxy]
How big is the Solar System?
The Solar System is large, on the order of 200,000 AU or 3.2 light years across, but that does not compare to the size of our galaxy at 100,000 light years across! To address this comparison one needs to define the size of the Solar System. The article presents more details and information on our Solar System and the Milky Way galaxy.
How do you compare the size of the Solar System to the Milky Way?
To compare the size of the Solar System to the size of our galaxy, the Milky Way, one needs to define the boundaries of the Solar System. Does it extend to the outer most planet (Neptune or Pluto - take your pick)?
Is the Solar System big or small?
Very big! But, consider the size of the known Universe—156 billion ly wide! So, size is relative, you can almost always find something that is bigger or smaller. The Solar System is large but relative to our galaxy it is very small.
What is the diameter of our galaxy?
Our universe expanded tremendously with that discovery. The generally agreed upon number for the diameter of our galaxy is 100,000 ly. There is some uncertainty because we can’t get a clear view of the galaxy from end to end due to intervening dust and gas.
Does the Milky Way have a planet?
Most of the hundreds of billions of stars in our galaxy are thought to have planets of their own, and the Milky Way is but one of perhaps 100 billion galaxies in the universe. While our planet is in some ways a mere speck in the vast cosmos, we have a lot of company out there.
Is the Solar System a minuscule part of a galaxy?
The solar system is a collection of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other celestial bodies that orbit a single star, in this case, the Sun. It is a minuscule part of a much larger system of stars and celestial bodies known as a galaxy.