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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/astro-sun-galactic-center-distance

About how far is the Sun from the Milky Way's center?

The Sun is about 26,000 light-years from the center.

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  1. 2,600 light-years
  2. 260,000 light-years
  3. 26,000 light-years ✔

Why: The solar system sits roughly halfway out in the Galaxy's stellar disk. Its distance from the galactic center is about 26,000 light-years.

Huh, didn't know that: The Sun takes roughly 225 million years to orbit the galactic center once.

The dad joke
The Sun lives in the galactic suburbs because downtown is too crowded.
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References

Answer: 26,000 light-years. The solar system sits roughly halfway out in the Galaxy's stellar disk. Its distance from the galactic center is about 26,000 light-years.

  1. Astronomy 2e Chapter 25 Summary openstax.org/books/astronomy-2e/pages/25-summary
    The Sun is located roughly halfway out of the Milky Way, about 26,000 light-years from the center.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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