The Sun

The Sun is the star at the center of our solar system, and its gravity holds the entire system together - from the biggest planets to the tiniest pieces of debris. It is also the largest object in the solar system with a diameter of about 1.4 million kilometers, making it about 100 times wider than Earth and 10 times wider than Jupiter, the biggest planet.

Even though nothing could live on the Sun because of its extreme temperatures and radiation, its light and energy is vital for most life on Earth. The connections and interactions between the Sun and Earth drive the seasons, ocean currents, weather, climate, radiation belts and auroras.

The part of the Sun commonly called its surface is the photosphere. The word photosphere means "light sphere", which is what we see from Earth with our eyes.