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Sun
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Images, Videos & Interactives
Joshua Tree National Park solar system to scale Inland Sea photosphere of the Sun Planets of Our Solar System
How to watch a solar eclipse
Explore the physics behind nuclear fusion and the Sun
evolution of a Sun-like star internal rotation of the Sun
Observe a dopplergram showing the velocity of solar material in the photosphere captured by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager
For Students
imaging using ultraviolet light
Sun summary
Quizzes
View of the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31, M31).
Astronomy and Space Quiz
The orbits of the planets and other elements of the solar system, including asteroids, Kuiper belt, Oort cloud, comet
Space Odyssey
Ursa major constellation illustration art. (Big Dipper) stars, space, night sky)
Stars: Explosions in Space
1 July 2002: The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) satellite reveals a massive solar eruption more than 30 times the Earth's diameter. The eruption formed when a loop of a magnetic field over the surface of the Sun trapped hot gas.
Brightest Star in the Solar System
Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.
All About Astronomy
Related Questions
Read Next
Solar system illustration. (planets; sun)
Why Are Planets Round?
Colorful winter sunset
What's the Difference Between a Solstice and an Equinox?
solar eclipse, sun, moon, astronomy, space
How Do You Tell the Difference Between Total, Annular, Solar, and Lunar Eclipses?
Solar system illustration. (Sun; planets)
A Model of the Cosmos
Solar Eclipse, Eclipse, Solar Flare, Outer Space, Astronomy
What Causes Lunar and Solar Eclipses?
Discover
Illustration for Demystified "How Dangerous is Quicksand"
How Deadly Is Quicksand?
Dancers at a Cinco de Mayo festival at the Mission District, San Francisco, California. (Photo dated 2019.) holidays
Is Cinco de Mayo Mexico's Independence Day?
Ethel Rosenberg arrested in August 1950. Photograph dated Aug. 8, 1950. American civilians executed for espionage. Spies, communists, Julius Rosenberg
Spies Like Us: 10 Famous Names in the Espionage Game
Amendments 1-10 to the Constitution of the United States constitute what is known as the Bill of Rights on an American flag.
What Is the Emoluments Clause?
King Cobra snake in Malaysia. (reptile)
9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes
Periodical Cicada, Adult, Magicicada spp. Requires 17 years to complete development. Nymph splits its skin, and transforms into an adult. Feeds on sap of tree roots. Northern Illinois Brood. This brood is the largest emergence of cicadas anywhere
Why Do Some Cicadas Appear Only Every 17 Years?
Aurochs. Bos primigenius. Skeleton. Extinct animal. Skeleton of an Aurochs, an extinct wild ox.
6 Animals We Ate Into Extinction

Sun: Related Content

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News •

Sun releases strong solar flares, causing communications blackouts: What to know • May 20, 2025, 7:14 AM ET (USA Today)
Strong Flare Erupts from Sun • May 15, 2025, 3:10 AM ET (NASA Science (.gov))
Sun Releases Strong Solar Flare • May 14, 2025, 12:07 AM ET (NASA Science (.gov))
A Hidden Supermassive Black Hole Has Just Revealed Itself in Deep Space • May 12, 2025, 7:32 AM ET (ScienceAlert)
First image from the world’s largest solar telescope captures the sun in unheard-of detail • Apr. 29, 2025, 11:16 PM ET (CNN)

Photos and Videos

Joshua Tree National Park
solar system to scale
Inland Sea
photosphere of the Sun
evolution of a Sun-like star
internal rotation of the Sun
visible solar spectrum
chromosphere
active region of the Sun
full-disk multiwavelength extreme ultraviolet image of the Sun
How to watch a solar eclipse
Explore the physics behind nuclear fusion and the Sun
Observe a dopplergram showing the velocity of solar material in the photosphere captured by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager
Watch gas updrafts form convection cells on the Sun's surface before dissolving or exploding
Inspect X-ray imaging of the Sun's veil of plasma known as the solar corona, sunspots, and gaps in the corona
See All Videos, Images and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics
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Related Quizzes and Features

Quiz
View of the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31, M31).
Astronomy and Space Quiz
Ursa major constellation illustration art. (Big Dipper) stars, space, night sky)
Stars: Explosions in Space
Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.
All About Astronomy
1 July 2002: The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) satellite reveals a massive solar eruption more than 30 times the Earth's diameter. The eruption formed when a loop of a magnetic field over the surface of the Sun trapped hot gas.
Brightest Star in the Solar System
Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.
All About Astronomy
View of the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31, M31).
Astronomy and Space Quiz
The orbits of the planets and other elements of the solar system, including asteroids, Kuiper belt, Oort cloud, comet
Space Odyssey
Encyclopaedia Britannica thistle graphic to be used with a Mendel/Consumer quiz in place of a photograph.
36 Questions from Britannica’s Most Popular Science Quizzes
Encyclopaedia Britannica thistle graphic to be used with a Mendel/Consumer quiz in place of a photograph.
27 True-or-False Questions from Britannica’s Most Difficult Science Quizzes
The orbits of the planets and other elements of the solar system, including asteroids, Kuiper belt, Oort cloud, comet
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List
1 July 2002: The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) satellite reveals a massive solar eruption more than 30 times the Earth's diameter. The eruption formed when a loop of a magnetic field over the surface of the Sun trapped hot gas.
6 Questions About the Sun Answered
Demystified
Solar system illustration. (planets; sun)
Why Are Planets Round?
Colorful winter sunset
What's the Difference Between a Solstice and an Equinox?
Colorful winter sunset
What's the Difference Between a Solstice and an Equinox?
solar eclipse, sun, moon, astronomy, space
How Do You Tell the Difference Between Total, Annular, Solar, and Lunar Eclipses?