The Sun

The Sun is our closest star. It is classified as G2, which means that it is very ordinary. It has a surface temperature of about 6000K and an apparent magnitude of –26.7, but its absolute magnitude is only 4.83. The core of the Sun is at a temperature of about 15.6 million K, and is at a density of around 148000 kg/m³.


The Sun displays differential rotation, which means that it rotates faster at the equator than near the poles. The rotation period at the equator is about 25.4 days, while near the poles it is about 36 days. This is possible because the Sun is made of gas and has no solid surface.