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Question
Is it possible to approximate the weight of the sun? If so, what has it been calculated to be?
Thanks
Hello.
"Weight" is a measure of gravitational attraction to a reference body, on which the weighed object is supported. Since there is no such measure that applies to bodies in space, we talk about their mass- not weight. (e.g. It *is* appropriate to speak of the weight of a man on Earth's surface- since he exerts a force on the ground, and the ground exerts an equal and opposite reaction force).
That said, we can obtain the mass of the Sun by using Kepler's 3rd law, or harmonic law. I won't go through the mathematical details here, unless you specifically ask for them in a follow-up.
Suffice it to say, that the mass turns out to be approximately:
2 x 10^30 kilograms
or 2 x 10^33 grams
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Answers by Expert:
Philip Stahl
Expertise
I have forty years of experience in Astronomy, specifically solar and space physics. My specialties include the physics of solar flares, sunspots, including their effects on Earth and statistics as applied to astronomical investigations.
Experience
Astronomy: more than forty years experience starting with construction of my own simple telescopes. Worked at university observatory in college, doing astrographic measurements. M.Phil. degree in Physics/Solar Physics and more than ten years as researcher.
Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar Physics and Dynamical Astronomy divisions), American Mathematical Society, American Geophysical Union
Publications
Solar Physics (journal), The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, The Proceedings of the Meudon Solar Flare Workshop (1986), The Proceedings of the Caribbean Physics Conference (1985). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.
Education/Credentials
B.A. Astronomy, M. Phil. Physics
Awards and Honors
American Astronomical Society Studentship Award (1984), Barbados Government Award for Solar Research
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