In our quest to determine the value of the sun, what if we approached this matter quite literally? What if we were to examine the sun’s elemental composition? How much would it be worth? While assigning a precise monetary value to the sun has its challenges and may be otherwise outlandish, we’re going to give it a try for the sake of having a little fun with this segment of sunomics.
(Disclaimer: Assigning a monetary value to the sun is a highly theoretical exercise; after all, the sun isn’t something that can be bought or sold. Trying to quantify the value of the sun in monetary terms is a complex and speculative endeavor, and any attempt to do so is highly subjective and likely not meaningful in practical terms.)
We’re going to attempt this exercise, albeit in a very rudimentary way, to further drive home our concept of sunomics.
The Sun’s Composition
Without factoring in the value of the energy it produces, we can hypothetically assign a dollar amount to the sun based on what we know of the sun’s composition and current market prices for these gases and elements.
The sun is a massive, glowing sphere of hot gas. Most of this gas is hydrogen and helium, while carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen make up less than two percent of the sun’s composition. The remainder is made up of small amounts of many other elements such as neon, iron, silicon, magnesium, and sulfur.
Let’s start with hydrogen. Hydrogen makes up about 75% of the sun’s mass. To calculate the mass of hydrogen in the sun, we can use the sun’s total mass, which is approximately 1.989 × 10^30 kilograms:
Mass of hydrogen in the sun = (75/100) × (1.989 × 10^30 kilograms) ≈ 1.492 × 10^30 kilograms
So, there are approximately 1.492 × 10^30 kilograms of hydrogen in the sun.
The current market value of hydrogen today is approximately $1.50 to $7 per kilogram, depending on how it is produced. According to the Department of Energy, hydrogen produced from renewable energy currently costs about $5 per kilogram. Let’s value a kilogram of hydrogen at $5, because, well, we work in solar, and we support production by means of renewable energy.
Using the above methodology, we can calculate what the amount of hydrogen in the sun is worth:
Value of hydrogen = 1.492 x 10^30 kg x $5 per kg
The value of hydrogen in the sun is approximately 7.46 x 10^30 dollars, or $7,460,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.00
Now, for helium. Let’s estimate that helium comprises approximately 23% of the sun’s mass (remember, 75% is hydrogen, and a combination of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen make up roughly 2%).
If we repeat the above calculations for helium, we get the below results:
Mass of helium in the sun = (23/100) x (1.989 × 10^30 kilograms) ≈ 4.575 x 10^29 kilograms
The price of helium fluctuates every day, depending on factors like supply and demand, production costs, etc., but in recent times has been in the range of $30 to $70 per kilogram. We will spit this down the middle at $50.
Value of helium = 4.575 x 10^29 kg X $50 per kg
The value of helium in the sun is approximately 2.2875 x 10^31 dollars, or $22,875,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.00.
For the sake of simplifying our approach (you get the idea, right?) and to avoid a long list of math equations (because math), we’ll leave out attempting to calculate the less than two percent of other gases present in the sun, along with the small amounts of other elements.
If we combine only the value of hydrogen and helium, we can establish that the sun would be more than thirty decillion, three hundred thirty-five nonillion dollars, or $30,335,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.00.
This is an extremely large sum of money far beyond the current economic capacity of any individual, company, or even entire countries. It’s unlikely that such an amount would exist in any practical financial context.
Let’s just say the sun is priceless, shall we?
Energy Production
Beyond any speculative exploration of its strict monetary value, we’ve already surmised the invaluable nature of the sun given its role in sustaining life on our planet.
Let’s take a deeper look at how this occurs.
In terms of energy production, the sun is incredibly powerful. The sun is estimated to emit energy at a rate of approximately 3.8 × 10^26 joules per second, which is equivalent to about 386 billion billion megawatts.
The sun generates energy through nuclear fusion reactions in its core. Hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium, releasing enormous amounts of energy. Temperatures in the core reach around 15 million degrees Celsius and pressures reach extreme levels, forcing hydrogen atoms to undergo fusion, resulting in the release of vast amounts of energy.
Surrounding the core is the radiative layer, where energy generated by nuclear fusion gradually makes its way outwards through a process of radiation. Photons, or particles of light, bounce and scatter among the dense plasma of hydrogen and helium nuclei, slowly diffusing through this layer in a journey that can take thousands of years.
Beyond the radiative layer lies the convective zone, a region characterized by turbulent motions of plasma. Here, the intense heat from below causes gas to rise in hot plumes, carrying energy towards the surface of the sun. Cooler plasma then descends back into the depths, completing the cycle of convective motion. This constant churning of material facilitates the transfer of energy from the core to the surface, ensuring a steady flow of thermal radiation.
At the surface, known as the photosphere, sunlight escapes into space, emitting light across the electromagnetic spectrum. This layer is marked by features such as sunspots, solar flares, and prominences, manifestations of the sun’s dynamic nature driven by its internal processes.
The composition of the sun, with its intricate layers and processes, forms the foundation of its existence at the center of our solar system and shapes the very fabric of our existence on Earth.
The Sun’s Value
Although entertaining to estimate the value of the sun based on its elemental composition, it’s clear that the sun’s worth is beyond any practical financial context. This exercise demonstrates the complexity and theoretical nature of assigning a monetary value to something as invaluable as the sun.
The sun holds immense value beyond its monetary worth. The massive amounts of energy generated by the sun’s internal fusion reactions shape our solar system and support life on Earth in various ways. These reactions not only produce the light and heat that illuminate our days but also drive the fundamental processes of life through photosynthesis, which fuels Earth’s ecosystems. Furthermore, the sun’s radiation influences agricultural cycles, weather patterns, and human health, underscoring its essential role in shaping our planet’s environment and sustaining life as we know it. (In a future segment, we’ll explore further exactly how the sun influences life on Earth.)
Extending far beyond Earth, the sun affects the movements of celestial bodies in our solar system and influences the climates and atmospheres of distant worlds. Its energy output is crucial in the search for habitable planets beyond our own. Understanding and appreciating the sun’s composition and power are essential for comprehending our place in the universe and ensuring the continued flourishing of life on our planet.
Read our introduction on sunomics, “Exploring the Value of the Sun: An Introduction to Sunomics”
