The Sun, being a cosmic powerhouse, has some interesting mysteries that we are still unaware of. While looking from Earth, the Sun might seem just a light source. But it is way beyond that in terms of size and heat.
Some Facts About Sun
From its massive size to its mysterious outer layer, the Sun is full of surprises. Though it is an essential part of our lives, it has its own mysterious characteristics.
Giant Ball Of Heat
The sun’s surface is around 5,500°C and is hotter than anything we can ever think of. This heat powers the nuclear fusion, where the hydrogen turns into helium, and this is how light and energy are produced.
Age Of The Sun
The Sun is almost 4.6 billion years old, also known as ‘middle-aged’ in cosmic terms. The sun has already used half of its hydrogen fuel, and according to scientists, the sun is expected to shine for the next 5 billion years.
Heart Of The Solar System
The sun is the heart of the solar system. It has almost 99.8% of the solar system’s mass and is around 109 times the size of the Earth. Which means it can fit one million Earths easily.
Sun And Its Layers
Just like the Earth’s atmosphere, the sun also has layers. This has a photosphere (surface), chromosphere, and corona. Each layer has its own temperature and properties. The outermost layer stretches approximately millions of kilometres.
A Future Red Giant
In the next 5 billion years, the sun will expand into a red giant. During this, it will grow so large that it might consume the entire Mercury and Venus. Then it is expected to shed the outer layer and shrink into a white dwarf.
