Distances in space can be represented in two ways: Kilometers (km) or Astronomical Units (AU). An astronomical unit is the distance between Earth and the Sun and is usually used to measure distances within our solar system. It must be noted that the distance varies for each planet because of its orbit around the Sun. Orbits are not circular; rather, they form an ellipse or oval. Before modern technology, astronomers measured the parallax of an object to determine its distance away from another point. We now have the technology to measure distance more directly by using spacecraft and radio signals. I included Pluto in the table, but it is no longer considered a planet in our solar system. At certain points in its orbit, Pluto is actually closer to the Sun than Neptune.
Planet
Distance
(from Sun)
Mercury
57,910,000 km
0.387 A.U.
Venus
108,200,000 km
0.723 A.U.
Earth
149,600,000 km
1.000 A.U.
Mars
227,940,000 km
1.524 A.U.
Jupiter
778,330,000 km
5.203 A.U.
Saturn
1,424,600,000 km
9.523 A.U.
Uranus
2,873,550,000 km
19.208 A.U.
Neptune
4,501,000,000 km
30.087 A.U.
Pluto
5,945,900,000 km
39.746 A.U.
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