THE

SUN
The Heart of the Solar System
 LESSON
OUTCOMES
The students should be able to understand
the key characteristics and components of
the sun.

The students should be able to compare and

contrast the sun and the planets that revolve
around it.

The students should be able to identify the

role of the sun in our solar system.
THE
SUN
Imagine a celestial body so immense that it dwarfs everything else in
our neighborhood of the Milky Way galaxy. Today, we embark on a
voyage of discovery to explore the Sun, the star that sustains life on our
home planet and shapes the very essence of our existence.

The Sun, a fiery ball of plasma, has been a symbol of warmth, light, and
energy throughout human history. It is a constant presence in our lives,
casting its golden rays upon us, giving life to our world, and painting
the sky with mesmerizing colors as it rises and sets. Yet, beyond its
beauty and radiance, the Sun holds secrets that continue to captivate
scientists and astronomers.
OVERVIEW
Diameter: 1.4 million km (870,000 mi)

Mass: about 1.989 x 10^30 kilograms

Distance (Earth): 149.6 million kilometers

Surface Temperature: 5,500°C

Star Type: G-type main-sequence star

Composition: The Sun is primarily composed of

hydrogen (about 74% by mass) and helium (about
24%). Trace amounts of other elements, such as
carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen, make up the
remaining 2%.
 SUN VS. MERCURY

The Sun has a diameter of approximately 1.4 million Mercury has a diameter of approximately 4,880
kilometers (870,000 miles). Its mass is approximately kilometers (3,032 miles) and a much lower mass of
1.989 x 10^30 kilograms. about 3.3 x 10^23 kilograms.
 SUN VS. VENUS

The Sun has a diameter of approximately 1.4 million Venus has a diameter of approximately 12,104
kilometers (870,000 miles). Its mass is approximately kilometers (7,521 miles). Its mass is approximately
1.989 x 10^30 kilograms. 4.8675 x 10^24 kilograms.
 SUN VS. EARTH

The Sun has a diameter of approximately 1.4 million Earth has a diameter of approximately 12,742
kilometers (870,000 miles). Its mass is approximately kilometers (7,918 miles) and a mass of
1.989 x 10^30 kilograms. approximately 5.97 x 10^24 kilograms.
 SUN VS. MARS

The Sun has a diameter of approximately 1.4 million Mars has a diameter of about 6,779 kilometers (4,212
kilometers (870,000 miles). Its mass is approximately miles) and a mass of roughly 0.64171 x 10^24
1.989 x 10^30 kilograms. kilograms.
 SUN VS. JUPITER

The Sun has a diameter of approximately 1.4 million Jupiter has a diameter of approximately 139,822
kilometers (870,000 miles). Its mass is approximately kilometers (86,881 miles) and a mass of
1.989 x 10^30 kilograms. approximately 1.898 x 10^27 kilograms.
 SUN VS. SATURN

The Sun has a diameter of approximately 1.4 million Saturn has s diameter of approximately 116,464
kilometers (870,000 miles). Its mass is approximately kilometers (about 72,367 miles) and a mass of
1.989 x 10^30 kilograms. approximately 5.68 x 10^26 kilograms.
 SUN VS. NEPTUNE

The Sun has a diameter of approximately 1.4 million Neptune has a diameter of approximately 49,244
kilometers (870,000 miles). Its mass is approximately kilometers (30,598 miles) and a mass of
1.989 x 10^30 kilograms. approximately 1.024 x 10^26 kilograms.
 SUN VS. URANUS

The Sun has a diameter of approximately 1.4 million Uranus has a diameter of about 51,118 kilometers
kilometers (870,000 miles). Its mass is approximately (31,763 miles) and a much greater mass of
1.989 x 10^30 kilograms. approximately 8.68 x 10^25 kilograms.
UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE SUN
 Convection Zone

Radiative Zone

Sun's Core

Photosphere

Chromosphere

Transition Region

Corona
NUCLEAR
FUSION
The Sun's core, located at its center, is a colossal
nuclear fusion reactor. Here, the intense pressure and
temperature cause hydrogen atoms to fuse together,
forming helium through a process known as nuclear
fusion.

This process releases an astonishing amount of energy

—approximately 386 billion billion megawatts per
second. This energy generation is what powers the Sun
and provides the radiant energy that sustains life on
Earth.
SOLAR
WINDS
The Sun continually emits a
stream of charged particles,
known as the solar wind,
into space.
This solar wind travels at
high speeds and can have a
significant impact on the
magnetospheres of planets
and space weather
conditions.
SOLAR
FLARES
Solar flares are sudden and
violent releases of energy
on the Sun's surface,
emitting X-rays and
ultraviolet radiation.
Solar prominences are
large, looping structures of
gas extending from the
Sun's surface into its outer
atmosphere.
THE SUNSPOTS
Sunspots are temporary
phenomena on the Sun's surface
caused by intense magnetic
activity.
They appear as dark spots
because they are cooler than the
surrounding areas. Sunspots are
closely monitored as they are
associated with variations in
solar radiation and can affect
Earth's climate and
communication systems.
SOLAR
CYCLE
The Sun goes through an
approximately 11-year solar
cycle marked by changes in
solar activity.
This cycle affects the
number of sunspots, solar
flares, and the overall output
of solar energy. Scientists
closely study these cycles to
understand their influence on
Earth and space.
 COSMIC
LOCATION
The Sun resides in the Orion Arm of the Milky
Way galaxy, one of the spiral arms of our
galaxy. It is situated about 27,000 light-years
away from the galactic center and orbits the
galaxy's center along with billions of other
stars.
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING!