The Sun at a glance
TypeG-type main-sequence star
RoleCentre of the Solar System
Light travel time to EarthAbout 8 minutes 20 seconds
Known forProviding nearly all surface energy on Earth
The big idea
The star that powers almost every surface ecosystem on Earth and holds the Solar System together with gravity.
How it fits into the wider picture
The Sun is connected to other objects and processes in the archive. Use the related links on this page to move outward from one topic into a broader view of the Solar System and universe.
Look, then read
The visual comes first, but the text explains what the shapes, colours and relationships mean. That makes the page useful both as a quick reference and as a starting point for deeper reading.
From the original archive
This English guide is part of the rebuilt VisibleGalaxies archive and uses topic and visual material from the supplied source site.