Science, Tech, Math › Science How Many Atoms Exist in the Universe? Print Panoramic Images / Getty Images Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on August 08, 2019 The universe is vast. Scientists estimate there are 1080 atoms in the universe. Since we can't go out and count each particle, the number of atoms in the universe is an estimate. It is a calculated value and not just some random, made-up number. How the Number of Atoms Is Calculated Read More How Many Atoms Are There in a Human Cell? By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. The calculation of the number of atoms assumes the universe is finite and has a relatively homogeneous composition. This is based on our understanding of the universe, which we see as a set of galaxies, each containing stars. If it turns out there are many such sets of galaxies, the number of atoms would be much greater than the current estimate. If the universe is infinite, then it consists of an infinite number of atoms. Hubble sees the edge of the collection of galaxies, with nothing beyond it, so the present concept of the universe is a finite size with known characteristics. The observable universe consists of approximately 100 billion galaxies. On average, each galaxy contains about one trillion or 1023 stars. Stars come in different sizes, but a typical star, like the Sun, has a mass of around 2 x 1030 kilograms. Stars fuse lighter elements into heavier ones, but most of the mass of an active star consists of hydrogen. It is believed 74% of the mass of the Milky Way, for example, is in the form of hydrogen atoms. The Sun contains approximately 1057 atoms of hydrogen. If you multiply the number of atoms per star (1057) times the estimated number of stars in the universe (1023), you get a value of 1080 atoms in the known universe. Other Estimates of Atoms in the Universe Although 1080 atoms is a good ballpark value for the number of atoms in the universe, other estimates exist, mainly based on different calculations of the size of the universe. Another calculation is based on measurements of cosmic microwave background radiation. Overall, the estimates of the number of atoms range from between 1078 to 1082 atoms. Both of these estimates are large numbers, yet they are very different, indicating a significant degree of error. These estimates are based on hard data, so they are correct based on what we know. Revised estimates will be made as we learn more about the universe. Sources Whitehouse, David. "Astronomers size up the Universe." BBC News, May 28, 2004. Gott III, J.Richard, et al. “A Map of the Universe.” The Astrophysical Journal, vol. 624, no. 2, IOP Publishing, May 2005, pp. 463–84. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "How Many Atoms Exist in the Universe?" ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/number-of-atoms-in-the-universe-603795. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 28). How Many Atoms Exist in the Universe? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/number-of-atoms-in-the-universe-603795 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "How Many Atoms Exist in the Universe?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/number-of-atoms-in-the-universe-603795 (accessed April 20, 2024). copy citation