Imagine if Earth were the size of the Sun. Right now, Earth is small compared to the Sun, but if the Earth became as big as the Sun, the consequences would be huge!
Our planet would change in ways we can't even imagine. In this article, we’ll explore what would happen if Earth grew to the size of the Sun, step by step. Let’s dive into the possible effects.
1. Massive Increase in Size and Gravity
The Sun is about 1.3 million times bigger in volume than Earth. If Earth were the size of the Sun, it would be about 1.3 million times larger in volume. This would mean Earth’s mass would also increase by a huge amount.
The Sun has about 330,000 times the mass of Earth, so if Earth became the size of the Sun, it would need to have similar mass to keep its balance in space.
This increased mass would make Earth’s gravity incredibly strong. Right now, gravity on Earth pulls objects toward the ground at 9.8 meters per second squared.
If Earth’s mass were increased to the size of the Sun, gravity would be much stronger. This would cause things to become much heavier.
Humans, animals, and even buildings would weigh many times more than they do now. It would be nearly impossible for life to exist as we know it.
2. Destruction of Earth’s Atmosphere
The atmosphere of Earth would not survive in this new scenario. Earth’s atmosphere is held in place by gravity. With the increase in gravity, the atmosphere would be compressed and thickened, making it hard to breathe.
The air pressure would become unbearable. On top of that, the surface temperature would skyrocket because the new Earth would be receiving far more energy from the Sun and its own internal heat.
The intense heat and pressure would lead to the breakdown of the oxygen and nitrogen molecules in the atmosphere. Without a breathable atmosphere, life on Earth would not be able to survive. It’s likely that Earth’s atmosphere would either collapse into a dense layer close to the planet’s surface or escape into space.
Related: What if the space was filled with breathable air?
3. A Superhot Surface
If Earth were the size of the Sun, it would need to generate a lot of heat to maintain the balance required for a star-like structure. Right now, the Sun is a giant ball of burning gas, mainly hydrogen and helium, and it produces heat through nuclear fusion.
If Earth had a size equal to the Sun, it could become a massive ball of gas too, but it wouldn't have enough energy to start nuclear fusion in the way the Sun does.
Without fusion, Earth would not shine like the Sun, but its surface temperature would still increase dramatically. The heat would be extreme. Temperatures could rise to thousands of degrees Celsius. It would be like standing on the surface of a very hot star.
The heat would be so intense that any form of life or liquid water would instantly vaporize. Everything on Earth would be burned away, leaving a barren, lifeless planet.
4. No More Orbit Around the Sun
The Earth’s orbit around the Sun is controlled by the Sun’s gravity, which pulls the Earth in. However, if Earth were as large as the Sun, the gravitational forces between Earth and the Sun would change drastically.
Earth would no longer be able to orbit the Sun. Instead, the Sun’s gravity would likely pull Earth toward it, and Earth could collide with the Sun.
In the worst-case scenario, Earth would get pulled into the Sun, and everything on Earth would be destroyed in a fiery, violent process. The Sun would likely absorb the planet, and Earth as we know it would cease to exist.
5. Loss of Day and Night Cycle
One of the most noticeable changes would be the loss of the day and night cycle. Right now, Earth rotates on its axis every 24 hours, giving us day and night.
If Earth were as large as the Sun, it would likely have a much slower rotation or might even stop rotating altogether. The time it takes for Earth to complete one full rotation would increase greatly, possibly leading to very long days and nights.
Without a proper rotation, the planet would experience continuous sunlight or darkness, depending on the planet’s tilt.
This would make life difficult, if not impossible, because certain areas of the Earth would become too hot while others would become frozen in darkness.
6. No More Seasons
The seasons on Earth are caused by the tilt of the planet’s axis as it orbits the Sun. If Earth were the size of the Sun, the conditions for seasons would change drastically.
The planet might not have a significant tilt anymore because its size and mass would affect its rotation and axis. Without seasons, the temperature would remain more constant year-round, but the extreme temperatures would make Earth uninhabitable.
7. Earth Would Become a Gas Giant
The Earth is mostly made of solid rock and metals. However, if it were to expand to the size of the Sun, it would likely become more like a gas giant such as Jupiter or Saturn.
The intense pressure and heat would turn Earth into a giant ball of gas, and it would no longer have a solid surface. There would be no oceans, land, or skies as we know them. The planet would be completely transformed into a hot, gas-filled world, unable to support life.
8. Global Extinction
The drastic changes in size, gravity, atmosphere, and temperature would lead to the extinction of all life. Earth’s surface would become uninhabitable. Plants would die from the extreme heat, animals would not survive the crushing gravity, and humans would not be able to adapt to such harsh conditions.
The ecosystems would collapse, and Earth would become a lifeless, barren world, much like other planets in our solar system.
9. The Fate of the Moon
The Moon plays an important role in stabilizing Earth’s tilt and orbit. If Earth were to grow to the size of the Sun, the Moon would be affected too.
The gravitational forces between Earth and the Moon would increase, and the Moon might be pulled toward Earth. It could collide with the Earth, adding another layer of destruction to an already doomed planet.
Conclusion
If Earth were to become the size of the Sun, it would lead to unimaginable changes. The increased gravity would crush everything, making life impossible.
The atmosphere would break down, temperatures would soar, and Earth might become a gas giant, unable to support life. Earth’s orbit around the Sun would cease, and it might even collide with the Sun. The result would be the total destruction of our planet.
Thankfully, such an event is purely hypothetical, and Earth will not grow to the size of the Sun in the foreseeable future. However, it’s fascinating to imagine how different life would be if Earth were a star-sized planet.What if space was filled with breathable air?