Sun

The Sun is the bright star at the center of our solar system. It gives Earth light, warmth, and helps plants grow.

A few interesting things

  • Light from the Sun takes about 8 minutes to reach Earth.
  • The Sun is mostly hydrogen and helium.
  • About 1.3 million Earths could fit inside the Sun.
  • Sunspots are cooler, darker patches on the Sun’s surface.
  • The Sun sends out a steady stream of particles called the solar wind.
  • In about 5 billion years the Sun will swell into a red giant.

Planets

Meet the planets that travel around the sun.

A few details

  • Diameter: 1,392,700 km
  • Surface temperature: 5,500 degrees C
  • Type: yellow dwarf
  • Age: 4.6 billion years