Calculate the distances from the Sun to each of the planets in AU. The table below gives the distances from each planet to the Sun.

Planet	Distance (km)	

Mercury	5.80 x 107 km	

Venus	1.08 x 108 km	

Earth	1.50 x 108 km	

The Astronomical Unit (AU) is the average distance from the Earth to the Sun, which is approximately:

\[
1 \, \text{AU} = 1.496 \times 10^8 \, \text{km}
\]

We will now calculate the distances of Mercury, Venus, and Earth from the Sun in Astronomical Units by dividing their distances (in km) by 1.496 x 10⁸ km.

### 1. Mercury:
\[
\text{Distance (AU)} = \frac{5.80 \times 10^7 \, \text{km}}{1.496 \times 10^8 \, \text{km}} = 0.387 \, \text{AU}
\]

### 2. Venus:
\[
\text{Distance (AU)} = \frac{1.08 \times 10^8 \, \text{km}}{1.496 \times 10^8 \, \text{km}} = 0.722 \, \text{AU}
\]

### 3. Earth:
\[
\text{Distance (AU)} = \frac{1.50 \times 10^8 \, \text{km}}{1.496 \times 10^8 \, \text{km}} = 1.003 \, \text{AU}
\]

Thus, the distances from the Sun to the planets in AU are:
- Mercury: **0.387 AU**
- Venus: **0.722 AU**
- Earth: **1.003 AU**

Would you like further details or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions to expand the topic:
1. What are the distances of the outer planets (e.g., Mars, Jupiter) in AU?
2. How does the concept of AU help astronomers in space navigation?
3. What is the significance of 1 AU in understanding the size of the solar system?
4. How does the elliptical orbit of planets affect their distances from the Sun?
5. How is the AU measured with modern technology?

**Tip:** The concept of the AU helps simplify the vast distances in space by providing a common unit for planetary distances relative to Earth.

Calculate the distances from the Sun to each of the planets in AU. The table below gives the distances from each planet to the Sun.

Planet	Distance (km)

Mercury	5.80 x 10^7 km

Venus	1.08 x 10^8 km

Earth	1.50 x 10^8 km

Learn how to calculate the distances of Mercury, Venus, and Earth from the Sun in Astronomical Units (AU) using unit conversion. This problem demonstrates how to convert distances from kilometers to AU, a standard unit in astronomy. Suitable for students in Grades 6-8.

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