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Because in standard units, the numbers are enormous and given the number of digits, liable to error. For example, the volume of the sun, in standard units, is

1,409,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 metres3. It is far simpler to say that the volume is 1.409*1027 metres3 or even 1.409*109 km3.

The problem is much more significant in the context of the size of big stars or galaxies.

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Q: Why do astronomers use scientific notation to describe sizes?
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