The Sun

Three objects run our sky: the Sun, the Earth under your feet, and the Moon. We will meet them one at a time. First, the one you already know best: the Sun.

Light and heat

The Sun gives us light: when it is up, it is day, and everything around us is bright. It also gives us heat: stand in the sunshine and you feel warm; step into the shade and you feel cooler.

Almost all the light and warmth on the Earth comes from the Sun.

It is round

In the sky the Sun looks like a bright circle. But it isn't a flat disc - it is a ball, round from every side, like an orange. It is a giant ball of very hot, glowing gas.

It is far away

The Sun looks small in the sky, but that is only because it is very, very far from us. Up close it would be enormous.

Careful

Never look straight at the Sun, not even for a moment, and never through binoculars or a telescope. Its light can damage your eyes for good.

Big idea

The Sun is a huge, hot, glowing ball, very far away. It gives us light and heat.