Sun vs. Earth — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on September 13, 2023
The Sun is a star that emits light and heat, while Earth is a planet in the Solar System that orbits the Sun.
Difference Between Sun and Earth
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The Sun is the center of our Solar System, a massive celestial body composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. Its immense gravity holds all the planets, including the Earth, in orbit around it. Emitting light and heat due to nuclear fusion, the Sun plays a crucial role in sustaining life on Earth.
In contrast, Earth is the third planet from the Sun and is characterized by its diverse ecosystems and life forms. Unlike the gaseous Sun, the Earth has a solid surface composed of land and water. While the Sun has been burning for about 4.6 billion years, Earth has evolved over this time, developing an atmosphere and life.
One of the most notable differences between the Sun and Earth is their size and composition. The Sun's diameter is about 109 times that of Earth's, and it accounts for over 99.8% of the total mass of the Solar System. On the other hand, Earth, with its rocky core and watery surface, showcases a mix of terrains and climates, influenced largely by its distance from the Sun.
Temperature is another distinguishing factor. The Sun has a surface temperature of around 5,500°C (9,932°F), making it an inhospitable environment. In contrast, Earth has a much milder average surface temperature, suitable for the existence of life, thanks to its atmosphere and the Sun's energy.
Lastly, while the Sun is a vital source of energy, driving weather patterns and supporting life, Earth offers a habitat where various species, including humans, thrive and interact. The interplay between the Sun and Earth results in phenomena like day and night, seasons, and tides.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Star
Planet
Composition
Mainly hydrogen and helium
Solid surface with water and atmosphere
Role in Solar System
Central body, source of light and heat
One of eight planets orbiting the Sun
Size
109 times Earth's diameter
One Earth diameter
Life
No known life
Supports diverse life forms
Compare with Definitions
Sun
The star at the center of our Solar System.
The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
Earth
The third planet from the Sun in our Solar System.
Earth has diverse ecosystems ranging from deserts to rainforests.
Sun
A primary source of light and heat for Earth.
Plants use the Sun's energy for photosynthesis.
Earth
A globe with a mix of land, water, and atmosphere.
The Earth's rotation causes day and night.
Sun
A symbol of brightness and vitality.
She has a personality that shines like the Sun.
Earth
A celestial body supporting various forms of life.
Earth's atmosphere makes it unique in the known universe.
Sun
An object around which planets orbit.
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun.
Earth
The substance of the land surface; soil.
He planted the tree deep in the Earth.
Sun
A celestial body undergoing nuclear fusion.
The Sun converts hydrogen into helium in its core.
Earth
A symbol of ground or territory.
The soldiers defended their Earth with bravery.
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is a nearly perfect sphere of hot plasma, heated to incandescence by nuclear fusion reactions in its core, radiating the energy mainly as visible light, ultraviolet light, and infrared radiation.
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor and support life. About 29.2% of Earth's surface is land consisting of continents and islands.
Sun
Often Sun The star around which Earth and other planets orbit. It provides heat and light to Earth. It has a mean distance from Earth of about 150 million kilometers (93 million miles), a diameter of approximately 1,391,000 kilometers (864,000 miles), and a mass about 333,000 times that of Earth.
Earth
The planet on which we live; the world
The diversity of life on earth
Sun
A star that is the center of a planetary system.
Earth
The substance of the land surface; soil
A layer of earth
Sun
The radiant energy, especially heat and visible light, emitted by the sun; sunshine.
Earth
Electrical connection to the ground, regarded as having zero electrical potential.
Ensure metal fittings are electrically bonded to earth
Sun
A sunlike object, representation, or design.
Earth
The underground lair of a badger or fox.
Sun
To expose to the sun's rays, as for warming, drying, or tanning.
Earth
Connect (an electrical device) with the ground
The front metal panels must be soundly earthed
Sun
To expose oneself or itself to the sun.
Earth
Drive (a fox) to its underground lair.
Sun
The star that the Earth revolves around and from which it receives light and warmth.
Earth
Cover the root and lower stem of a plant with heaped-up earth
The stems can be earthed up when the plant is about one foot high
Sun
(astronomy) A star, especially when seen as the centre of any single solar system.
Earth
The land surface of the world.
Sun
The light and warmth which is received from the sun; sunshine or sunlight.
Earth
The softer, friable part of land; soil, especially productive soil.
Sun
(figurative) Something like the sun in brightness or splendor.
Earth
OftenEarthThe third planet from the sun, having a sidereal period of revolution about the sun of 365.26 days at a mean distance of approximately 149.6 million kilometers (92.96 million miles), a sidereal rotation period of 23 hours 56.07 minutes, an average radius of 6,378.1 kilometers (3,963 miles), and a mass of approximately 5.9736 × 1024 kilograms (1.3169 × 1025 pounds).
Sun
Sunrise or sunset.
Earth
The realm of mortal existence; the temporal world.
Sun
A revolution of the Earth around the Sun; a year.
Earth
The human inhabitants of the world:The earth received the news with joy.
Sun
A transversing of the sky by the Sun; a day.
Earth
Worldly affairs and pursuits.
Sun
The nineteenth trump/major arcana card of the Tarot.
Earth
Everyday life; reality:was brought back to earth from his daydreams of wealth and fame.
Sun
(cartomancy) The thirty-first Lenormand card.
Earth
The substance of the human body; clay.
Sun
A traditional Japanese unit of length, approximately 30.3 millimetres (1.193 inches).
Earth
The lair of a burrowing animal.
Sun
(transitive) To expose to the warmth and radiation of the sun.
Beautiful bodies lying on the beach, sunning their bronzed limbs.
Earth
Chiefly British The ground of an electrical circuit.
Sun
(transitive) To warm or dry in the sunshine.
Earth
(Chemistry)Any of several metallic oxides, such as alumina or zirconia, that are difficult to reduce and were formerly regarded as elements.
Sun
(intransitive) To be exposed to the sun.
Earth
To cover or heap (plants) with soil for protection.
Sun
To expose the eyes to the sun as part of the Bates method.
Earth
To chase (an animal) into an underground hiding place.
Sun
See Sunn.
Earth
To burrow or hide in the ground. Used of a hunted animal.
Sun
The luminous orb, the light of which constitutes day, and its absence night; the central body round which the earth and planets revolve, by which they are held in their orbits, and from which they receive light and heat. Its mean distance from the earth is about 92,500,000 miles, and its diameter about 860,000.
Earth
Senseid|en|Q2}} {{alternative case form of Earth; Our planet, third out from the Sun.
The astronauts saw the earth from the porthole.
Sun
Any heavenly body which forms the center of a system of orbs.
Earth
(uncountable) Soil.
This is good earth for growing potatoes.
Sun
The direct light or warmth of the sun; sunshine.
Lambs that did frisk in the sun.
Earth
(uncountable) Any general rock-based material.
She sighed when the plane's wheels finally touched earth.
Sun
That which resembles the sun, as in splendor or importance; any source of light, warmth, or animation.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield.
I will never consent to put out the sun of sovereignity to posterity.
Earth
The ground, land (as opposed to the sky or sea).
Birds are of the sky, not of the earth.
Sun
To expose to the sun's rays; to warm or dry in the sun; as, to sun cloth; to sun grain.
Then to sun thyself in open air.
Earth
(British) A connection electrically to the earth (US ground); on equipment: a terminal connected in that manner.
Sun
A typical star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system;
The sun contains 99.85% of the mass in the solar system
Earth
The lair or den (as a hole in the ground) of an animal such as a fox.
Sun
The rays of the sun;
The shingles were weathered by the sun and wind
Earth
A region of the planet; a land or country.
Sun
A person considered as a source of warmth or energy or glory etc
Earth
Worldly things, as against spiritual ones.
Sun
Any star around which a planetary system evolves
Earth
The world of our current life (as opposed to heaven or an afterlife).
Sun
First day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
Earth
(metonymically) The people on the globe.
Sun
Expose one's body to the sun
Earth
Any planet similar to the Earth (our earth): an exoplanet viewed as another earth, or a potential one.
New space telescopes may accelerate the search for other earths that may be out there.
Sun
Expose to the rays of the sun or affect by exposure to the sun;
Insolated paper may turn yellow and crumble
These herbs suffer when sunned
Earth
(archaic) The human body.
Earth
The aforementioned soil- or rock-based material, considered one of the four or five classical elements.
Earth
Any of certain substances now known to be oxides of metal, which were distinguished by being infusible, and by insolubility in water.
Earth
To connect electrically to the earth.
That noise is because the amplifier is not properly earthed.
Earth
(transitive) To bury.
Earth
(transitive) To hide, or cause to hide, in the earth; to chase into a burrow or den.
Earth
(intransitive) To burrow.
Earth
The globe or planet which we inhabit; the world, in distinction from the sun, moon, or stars. Also, this world as the dwelling place of mortals, in distinction from the dwelling place of spirits.
That law preserves the earth a sphereAnd guides the planets in their course.
In heaven, or earth, or under earth, in hell.
Earth
The solid materials which make up the globe, in distinction from the air or water; the dry land.
God called the dry land earth.
He is pure air and fire, and the dull elements of earth and water never appear in him.
Earth
The softer inorganic matter composing part of the surface of the globe, in distinction from the firm rock; soil of all kinds, including gravel, clay, loam, and the like; sometimes, soil favorable to the growth of plants; the visible surface of the globe; the ground; as, loose earth; rich earth.
Give him a little earth for charity.
Earth
A part of this globe; a region; a country; land.
Would I had never trod this English earth.
Earth
Worldly things, as opposed to spiritual things; the pursuits, interests, and allurements of this life.
Our weary souls by earth beguiled.
Earth
The people on the globe.
The whole earth was of one language.
Earth
Any earthy-looking metallic oxide, as alumina, glucina, zirconia, yttria, and thoria.
Earth
A hole in the ground, where an animal hides himself; as, the earth of a fox.
They [ferrets] course the poor conies out of their earths.
Earth
The connection of any part an electric conductor with the ground; specif., the connection of a telegraph line with the ground through a fault or otherwise.
Earth
A plowing.
Such land as ye break up for barley to sow,Two earths at the least, ere ye sow it, bestow.
Earth
To hide, or cause to hide, in the earth; to chase into a burrow or den.
Earth
To cover with earth or mold; to inter; to bury; - sometimes with up.
The miser earths his treasure, and the thief,Watching the mole, half beggars him ere noon.
Why this in earthing up a carcass?
Earth
To burrow.
Earth
The 3rd planet from the sun; the planet on which we live;
The Earth moves around the sun
He sailed around the world
Earth
The loose soft material that makes up a large part of the land surface;
They dug into the earth outside the church
Earth
The solid part of the earth's surface;
The plane turned away from the sea and moved back over land
The earth shook for several minutes
He dropped the logs on the ground
Earth
The abode of mortals (as contrasted with heaven or hell);
It was hell on earth
Earth
Once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)
Earth
The concerns of the world as distinguished from heaven and the afterlife;
They consider the church to be independent of the world
Earth
A connection between an electrical device and the earth (which is a zero voltage)
Earth
Hide in the earth like a hunted animal
Earth
Connect to the earth;
Earth the circuit
Common Curiosities
How old is the Sun compared to Earth?
Both the Sun and Earth are about 4.6 billion years old.
Is there water on the Sun like there is on Earth?
No, the Sun is too hot for liquid water; Earth, however, has abundant water.
What is the Sun primarily composed of?
The Sun is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium.
Which planet is third from the Sun?
Earth is the third planet from the Sun.
Why is Earth suitable for life?
Earth has a unique combination of atmosphere, water, and distance from the Sun, making it suitable for life.
Does Earth produce its light like the Sun?
No, Earth reflects the Sun's light, but doesn't produce its own light.
Can we live on the Sun?
No, the Sun's extreme temperatures and conditions make it inhospitable.
Is the Sun moving, or is it stationary while Earth orbits?
The Sun is moving, but it's also the center of the Solar System around which planets like Earth orbit.
Why do we have day and night on Earth?
Day and night on Earth are caused by its rotation, with the side facing the Sun experiencing day.
How does the Sun affect Earth's climate?
The Sun provides energy that drives Earth's weather patterns and determines its climate.
How does the Sun's gravity affect Earth?
The Sun's gravity keeps Earth in orbit, influencing phenomena like tides.
How does Earth's atmosphere compare to the Sun's?
Earth has a breathable atmosphere with oxygen, while the Sun has a gaseous outer layer without oxygen.
How far is Earth from the Sun?
Earth is on average about 93 million miles (149.6 million kilometers) from the Sun.
Why do we see the Sun rise and set on Earth?
We see the Sun rise and set due to Earth's rotation, making it appear as if the Sun is moving across the sky.
What would happen to Earth without the Sun?
Without the Sun, Earth would lose its primary heat and light source, becoming extremely cold and uninhabitable.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
