How solar mass converts to kilograms
The solar mass is the standard unit astronomers use for stars, black holes and galaxies, because kilograms become unwieldy at cosmic scales. One solar mass is the mass of our Sun, and every conversion scales from that fixed value.
1 solar mass (M☉) = 1.989 × 10³⁰ kg
1 M☉ ≈ 333,000 Earth masses ≈ 1,048 Jupiter masses
Worked example
A neutron star of about 1.4 solar masses converts to 1.4 × 1.989 × 10³⁰ = 2.78 × 10³⁰ kg, packed into a sphere only about 12 miles across.
Frequently asked questions
How many kilograms is one solar mass?
About 1.989 × 10³⁰ kg, the mass of the Sun, roughly 1,989 followed by 27 zeros.
How do I convert solar mass to kilograms?
Multiply the solar-mass value by 1.989 × 10³⁰. A 10 solar mass star is about 1.989 × 10³¹ kg.
How do I convert kilograms to solar mass?
Divide the kilograms by 1.989 × 10³⁰. Earth's 5.972 × 10²⁴ kg equals about 0.000003 solar masses.
How many Earth masses are in a solar mass?
About 333,000 Earth masses.
How many Jupiter masses are in a solar mass?
About 1,048 Jupiter masses.
What is the symbol for solar mass?
M☉, using the astronomical Sun symbol. It is the standard unit for stellar and galactic masses.