solar mass

noun

: the mass of the sun used as a unit for the expression of the masses of other celestial objects and equal to about 2 × 1030 kilograms

Examples of solar mass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even the littlest ones are big enough that researchers measure them in units of solar mass. — Jackie Appel, Popular Mechanics, 21 Aug. 2023 Heating up the surface would increase the amount of solar wind production, which would increase the rate of solar mass loss. — Paul Sutter, Ars Technica, 16 Apr. 2024 Scientists estimate that the rings of the Sombrero galaxy produce less than one solar mass of stars each year, with one solar mass equaling the mass of our sun. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024 There is also an upper limit on the mass left behind by pair instabilities, which is a roughly 130 solar mass black hole. — ArsTechnica, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for solar mass

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of solar mass was in 1941

Rhymes for solar mass

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Browse Nearby Words

solar letter
solar mass
solar microscope
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Cite this Entry

“Solar mass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solar%20mass. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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