The Sun: Our Closest Star
The Sun is the center of our solar system. It is a massive, glowing ball of hot gas that provide the light and heat necessary for all life on Earth.
STARS
Sandra
4/4/20261 min read
What is the Sun?
The Sun is actually a star, just like the ones you see at night. It only looks much larger and brighter because it is much closer to us. It is so big that about 1.3 million Earths could fit inside it!
How it Works
The Sun is made mostly of hydrogen and helium. At its core, it is constantly squeezing hydrogen atoms together to make helium. This process creates a massive amount of energy. That energy travels from the core to the surface and then out into space as sunlight.
Why We Need It
Without the Sun, Earth would be a frozen ball of ice.
Photosynthesis: Plants use sunlight to make food and release oxygen.
Weather: The Sun’s heat drives our winds and the water cycle.
Gravity: Its powerful gravity keeps all the planets, including Earth, in a steady orbit so we don't drift off into deep space.
Solar Facts
Age: The Sun is about 4.6 billion years old.
Distance: It takes about 8 minutes and 20 seconds for light to travel from the Sun to your eyes on Earth.
Temperature: The surface is about 5,500 degrees Celsius, but the core is a staggering 15 million degrees!