The Sun

Sunlight, which is energy from the Sun supports life on Earth because it is used for photosynthesis. In photosynthesis, plants use the sun's energy to make food for themselves and during this process, they release some of the oxygen us humans need to live.

In addition to this, the sun's energy drives the Earth's weather and climate.

The Sun is made up of 70% Hydrogen, 28% Helium and 2% other metals.

The temperature at the sun's core is extreme, around 15.6 million degrees Kelvin.

The sun's power is produced by nuclear fission.

The surface of the sun is called the Photosphere. The temperature there is 5800 Kelvin.

In addition to producing heat and light, the sun produces magnetic particles.

The sun consists of different layers because the temperature of the sun increases as you move from the outermost to the innermost core of the sun.The outermost part of the sun's atmosphere is called the corona. The corona contains the atmosphere of the sun. The layer directly below the corona is the Chromoshere, the thin layer of the sun which is just outside the Photosphere, the area of the sun which is visible to us on Earth. It is here that the sun gives off a white-yellow light that we see.

Inside the Photsphere is the Convection Zone, an area hotter than the layers above it and cooler than the ones closer to the core. The Convection Zone collects some heat from the Radiation Zone below and sends this heat outward towards the outer parts of the sun. This Radiation Zone collects heat from the core and sends it outward to the Convection Zone and beyond.

The core, the innermost zone is the hottest part of the sun, and is the source of the sun's energy.WIth the intense heat in the sun's core, atoms are broken apart and thermal heat is produced. These thermal nuclear reactions are called nuclear fission.

A Solar Eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth. When this happens, the Sun is partially covered. This can only happen during the New Moon phase. During the course of a year, any where from 2 to 5 solar eclipses can occur.

A total eclipse occurs when the sun is completely covered by the moon. A partial eclipse occurs when the moon only partly covers the sun.

Umbra and Penumbra in the photo are shadows of the moon

Sun, Earth and Sky