The Sun

The Sun's surface is 12,000 times larger than the Earth's surface, while its volume is greater 1,300,000 times then volume of the planet on which we live. Due to the fusion reaction (Look: Nuclear Fusion) taking place in the Sun, energy is emitted, causing the Sun to lose about 4,000,000 tonnes of its mass every second. However, modern astrophysicists claim that the star at the center of our solar system will be stable for another 5 to 6 billion years.

We know in what ways the Sun affects the living world on Earth and that many phenomena are related to it. For example, astronomers have calculated that a solar eclipse can last a maximum of 7 minutes and 41 seconds, but so far that record has not been recorded. The official scientifically verified longest eclipse lasted 7 minutes and 6 seconds and was recorded in the Philippines on June 20, 1955.

Also, scientists say the Sun has not always been as bright as it is today. It is estimated that some 4 billion years ago the Sun was about 30 percent darker, slightly larger in volume but less dense. Over the course of billions of years, under the influence of its own gravity, the Sun shrunk, become hotter and brighter.