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Introduction to Sun
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Formation of The Sun and the Solar System
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Sun - Physical and Chemical features
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Sun as Supporter of Life on Earth
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Sun Spots, Prominences, Solar Flares and CMEs
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Safe Techniques for Observing Sun
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Make Your Own Solar Observation Device
Physical features of Sun
So now since we are introduced to the Sun, let’s learn more about its composition and position in our Solar System.
Sun is the centre of the Solar system and all the planets and other solar system bodies revolve around it. Sun has an average distance of 150,000,000 KM from Earth. This distance is called 1 Astronomical Unit or 1 AU. This new unit helps us measure large distances within solar system easily.
The Sun weighs about 99.86% of the entire mass of the solar system. One can sat that the entire mass of the solar system is concentrated inside the Sun. All other bodies constitute barely 0.13% of the solar system and this includes Jupiter and other gas giants, billions of asteroids and comets etc.
The Sun has a diameter of approximately 1,400,000 KM which is beyond comparison to any object in the solar system. The nearest object in size is Jupiter which is about 140,000 KM in diameter. The Sun can accommodate about 1,300,000 earths in side while it would be full with only 1000 Jupiters.
The sun is made up of hydrogen but at high temperatures, the gas exist in plasma state and hence the star rotates around its axis with different speed at different positions. The equator spins faster with about 25 days for one rotation while the poles move slower with 31 days for one rotation. This is called “differential rotation“.