Sun Basics
It takes about this many minutes for light from the Sun to reach Earth
8 minutes to 8.5 minutes
This is the most abundant gas found in the Sun, making up about 74% of its mass.
hydrogen
This spectacular event happens when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun.
solar eclipse
He was the ancient Greek god of the Sun, often pictured driving a golden chariot across the sky.
Helios or Apollo
The Sun is classified as this type of celestial body.
star
Through nuclear fusion, the Sun turns hydrogen into this second-most abundant element.
helium
The Sun's powerful gravitational pull keeps this many planets orbiting around it.
8
In the solar system, the Sun holds more than 99% of this total physical measurement.
mass
This is the name of our solar system's central star.
sun or sol
These temporarily dark, cooler regions on the Sun's surface are caused by magnetic activity.
sunspots
This vitamin is produced by human skin when it is exposed to sunlight.
Vitamin D
This is the closest planet to the Sun.
Mercury
In terms of size comparison, the Sun is categorized as this type of "dwarf" star.
yellow dwarf
This is the state of matter of the Sun's hot, ionized gas.
plasma
Green plants use sunlight to make food through this chemical process.
photosynthesis
This phrase describes the colored lights in Earth's skies caused by solar particles hitting our atmosphere.
Northern (or Southern) Lights or Auroras
This 4-letter word describes the daily event when the Sun disappears below the horizon.
sunset
This stream of charged particles is constantly released from the Sun's upper atmosphere into space.
solar wind
This protective layer in Earth's atmosphere blocks out most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.
ozone layer
This popular, bright yellow flower is famous for turning its head to face the Sun.
sunflower