Is The Sun Actually A Star? Here’s The Science Behind It

Sun Facts: The Sun has always been known as the lifeline and centre of our solar system. However, many of us still wonder if it is actually a star or a celestial body. The truth behind this is, yes, in scientific language, the sun is regarded as a star, and the explanation lies beneath the definition of a Star. But what exactly is a star? A star is a massive, shining object, which is made of hot plasma, mostly helium and hydrogen and has its own gravity. To your surprise, the sun's description is the same. It is made of 74 per cent hydrogen and about 24 per cent helium, and releases a massive amount of energy in the form of light and heat. This process is known as nuclear fusion, which powers the Sun and produces the light that keeps life going on Earth.

Moreover, the size and temperature of the Sun also match those of a star. For example, the Sun is a G-type main-sequence star, or yellow/white star, with surface temperatures of approximately 5,500 degrees Celsius, according to the NASAScience.gov. However, it is a medium-sized star compared with other stars, which are significantly smaller than blue giants but bigger than small red stars, which are scattered throughout the galaxy.

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The Sun is the closest star to Earth, which makes it look much brighter and bigger than other stars. It is about 93 million miles away. While other stars are often much larger or brighter, but usually appear as tiny points of light due to their enormous distances from the Earth.

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Other highlights that regard the sun as a star are that it orbits the Milky Way galaxy in the same way as billions of other stars. This helps scientists to understand more about stellar lifecycles, galaxy formation, and cosmic evolution by comparing the Sun with other stars. However, unlike other stars, the Sun is much more than a glowing ball in the sky; it is not an ordinary star. Its significance is beyond humankind.