The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System.
The Sun is 109 times larger than the Earth.
The Sun's period of rotation at the surface varies from approximately 25 days at the equator to 36 days at the poles. Deep down, below the convective zone, everything appears to rotate with a period of 27 days.
The Sun is now a middle-aged star, meaning it is at about the middle of its life.
About three quarters of the Sun's mass consists of hydrogen, while the rest is mostly helium.
The Sun's outer visible layer is called the photosphere and has a temperature of 6,000° C. This layer has a mottled appearance due to the turbulent eruptions of energy at the surface.
Sunspots are cool areas on the surface of the Sun.
The Sun does not rise or set. It just looks like it does because the Earth is moving.
In addition to heat and light, the Sun also emits a low density stream of charged particles known as the solar wind.
Solar energy is created deep within the core of the Sun. It is here that the temperature is 15,000,000° C and the pressure (340 billion times Earth's air pressure at sea level) is so intense that nuclear reactions take place.
Major sustained sunspots are associated with ice ages on Earth.
The Sun appears to have been active for 4.6 billion years and has enough fuel to go on for another five billion years or so.
The energy contained in one days worth of sunlight could power the Earth for a full year.