A tan solo

Question

Hi. I just read these 2 phrases in an article:

A tan poca distancia del sol

A tan solo 42 millones de kilómetros del sol.

Is it similar in meaning to the above but varies only with the use of distances instead if time?

Answer

Hola Marsha,
yes, this is a similar structure also using "A tan solo..." but this time talking about distance instead of time. "A tan solo 42 millones de kilómetros del sol" means "At just 42 millions of kilometres from the sun". The first example is slightly similar but this time using the word "distancia", so "A tan poca distancia del sol..." means "At such a short distance from the sun..."; here are other examples:

Pronto llegaremos. Estamos a tan solo 2 kilómetros del pueblo.
We will arrive soon. We are only 2 kilometres away from the town.
No puedes lanzar la pelota a tan poca distancia de la canasta. 
You can't throw the ball at such a short distance from the basket.

I hope this helped.
Inma