Solar System Exploration: Planets: Sun

Sun:




	Plasma erupts from the Sun in the shape of a massive handle.

Our Sun in Brief
The Sun is a star, a hot ball of glowing gases at the heart of our solar system. Its influence extends far beyond the orbits of distant Neptune and Pluto. Without the Sun's intense energy and heat, there would be no life on Earth. And though it is special to us, there are billions of stars like our Sun scattered across the Milky Way galaxy.

Featured Mission: Solar Dynamics Observatory
SDO will study the Sun's influence by observing the solar atmosphere simultaneously in several wavelengths. The orbiting observatory will help determine if it is possible to make reliable space weather forecasts.

Read More About the Sun

Distance from Earth:

149,597,900 km

Equatorial Radius:

695,500 km

Volume:

1,412,200,000,000,000,000 km³

Mass:

1,989,000,000,000,000,000,000,
000,000,000 kg

More Facts


	Because the Sun is our nearest star. Solar activity affects us on Earth (electronics and communications on the ground and satellites in orbit can be affected by solar storms). Solar activity also affects human and robotic explorers traveling through our solar system. The Sun is the source of most of the light and heat in our solar system.

	Missions to the Sun
	NASA Heliophysics
	Sun-Earth Connection Forum

	Solar Data Analysis Center
	StarDate: The Sun

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