Everything We Know About the Sun

The Sun, a star at the center of our solar system, is a colossal sphere of hot plasma that emits enormous amounts of energy in the form of heat and light. Its immense gravitational pull keeps the planets, asteroids, comets, and space debris of the solar system in orbit around it. The Sun's energy is vital for life on Earth, providing warmth, light, and sustenance for plants and animals. Its solar flares and sunspots affect our planet's weather and communications. The Sun's composition is primarily hydrogen and helium, with trace amounts of various elements. Its diameter is about 109 times that of Earth, and its mass is approximately 330,000 times greater. The Sun's surface temperature is around 5,778 Kelvin (10,333 degrees Fahrenheit), and its core reaches a staggering 27 million Kelvin (48 million degrees Fahrenheit). Understanding the Sun's behavior and characteristics is crucial for space exploration, weather forecasting, and studying the origins of life in our solar system.