One second of sunlight
The total energy emitted by the Sun in all directions over one second.
How big is it?
3.828 × 10¹¹ PJ of energy
Energy · defined energy model
A little perspective
Moon orbital kinetic energy is about 100 times larger on this measurement.
Moon orbital kinetic energy: Moon orbital kinetic energy is the energy the Moon possesses due to its motion as it orbits Earth.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
One second of sunlight
The Sun’s nominal luminosity multiplied by one second: total emitted energy, not energy received by Earth.
IAU — nominal solar and planetary conversion constants
The marked energy is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Moon orbital kinetic energy
Approximately 3.83 × 10²⁸ J, calculated as ½mv² from the JPL-derived lunar mass and a mean orbital speed of 1.022 km/s. The Moon’s elliptical orbit changes its instantaneous speed and kinetic energy.
The marked mean-orbit kinetic energy is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 3.828 × 10¹¹ PJ
For comparison, this page uses energy. This is labelled defined energy model: an explicit comparison model rather than a claim that every example has the same value.
The Sun’s nominal luminosity multiplied by one second: total emitted energy, not energy received by Earth.
The identifying illustration and the numerical comparison remain separate. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
One second of sunlight dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.828 × 10¹¹ PJ | Not recorded | defined energy model |
Around this scale
Go smaller. Go bigger.
These links use compatible energy records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · EnergyAn industrial terajoule1 TJAn industrial terajoule is a large unit of energy used to quantify industrial-scale processes or outputs.
Nearest higher value · EnergyMoon orbital kinetic energy3.83 × 10¹³ PJMoon orbital kinetic energy is the energy the Moon possesses due to its motion as it orbits Earth.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- IAU — nominal solar and planetary conversion constantsResolution B3 defines nominal solar radius and luminosity; nominal constants are conversion anchors, not new measurements.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
EnergyFood kilocalorie4.184 kJA food kilocalorie is the energy needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius, used to express food energy.
EnergyPhone battery54 kJA phone battery stores electrical energy to power a mobile phone.
EnergyElectric car battery216 MJAn electric car battery stores energy to power an electric vehicle.EnergyMoon orbital kinetic energy3.83 × 10¹³ PJMoon orbital kinetic energy is the energy the Moon possesses due to its motion as it orbits Earth.EnergyAn industrial terajoule1 TJAn industrial terajoule is a large unit of energy used to quantify industrial-scale processes or outputs.
EnergySupernova light model1 × 10²⁷ PJThe electromagnetic energy released by a typical supernova explosion, excluding kinetic and neutrino energy.
EnergyLightning energy model1 GJA lightning energy model represents the total energy released during a single lightning discharge.
EnergyOne tonne TNT equivalent4.184 GJOne tonne of TNT equivalent is a conventional unit of energy, defined as 4.184 gigajoules rather than by the variable yield of a particular explosive sample.