Composition:

• The Sun is primarily composed of hydrogen (about 74%) and helium (about 24%). The remaining 2% consists of trace amounts of heavier elements such as oxygen, carbon, neon, and iron.

Energy Source:

• The Sun produces energy through nuclear fusion in its core, where hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium, releasing an immense amount of energy in the process. This process is what provides the Sun with its light and heat.

Size and Mass:

• The Sun is a massive star, approximately 109 times the diameter of Earth. It contains about 99.86% of the total mass of our solar system, with a mass of around 330,000 times that of Earth.

Surface Temperature:

• While the Sun's core reaches temperatures of about 15 million degrees Celsius (27 million degrees Fahrenheit) due to nuclear fusion, its surface temperature is cooler, around 5,500 degrees Celsius (9,932 degrees Fahrenheit).

Solar Flares:

• The Sun experiences periodic solar flares, which are intense bursts of energy and radiation. These eruptions can cause disruptions in communication systems on Earth and can even affect power grids.

Sunspots:

• Sunspots are temporary phenomena on the Sun's photosphere that appear darker than the surrounding areas. They are caused by magnetic activity and are associated with cooler temperatures.

Solar Wind:

• The Sun constantly emits a stream of charged particles known as solar wind. This wind travels throughout the solar system and influences the tails of comets, among other things.

Sun's Age:

• The Sun is approximately 4.6 billion years old and is considered middle-aged. It has been shining for about half of its expected lifespan.

Distance from Earth:

• The average distance from the Sun to Earth is about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers). This distance is known as one astronomical unit (AU).

Sun's Influence on Earth's Climate:

• The Sun plays a crucial role in Earth's climate. Variations in solar radiation affect the planet's temperature and climate patterns. Changes in the Sun's activity can contribute to phenomena like the solar cycle.

Sunquakes:

• Similar to earthquakes on Earth, the Sun experiences seismic activities known as "sunquakes." These are caused by the impact of solar flares and other energetic events.

Future Evolution:

• In about 5 billion years, the Sun will exhaust its nuclear fuel and evolve into a red giant, expanding and potentially engulfing the inner planets, including Earth.

Sun's Magnetic Field:

• The Sun possesses a dynamic and complex magnetic field. This magnetic field influences solar activities such as sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections. The Sun's magnetic field goes through an approximately 11-year cycle known as the solar cycle, during which the magnetic poles flip. This cycle affects solar activity and can have implications for space weather on Earth.