12th March, 2024
CHIRANJIT MITRA
● Fact: The Sun primarily comprises hydrogen and helium, heated to millions of degrees. ● Did You Know? This nuclear fusion in the core produces the energy that radiates as sunlight.
● Fact: The Sun is so big that over a million Earths could fit inside. ● Did You Know? It accounts for about 99.86% of the total mass in our solar system!
● Fact: The Sun doesn't rotate as a solid object. The equator spins faster (about 25 days) than the poles (about 35 days). ● Did You Know? This uneven rotation helps create its complex magnetic field.
● Fact: The Sun's immense magnetic field influences the solar system. ● Did You Know? This field creates sunspots, solar flares, and other dynamic solar phenomena.
● Fact: Our Sun is about 4.6 billion years old – middle-aged for a star of its size. ● Did You Know? In about 5 billion years, the Sun will exhaust its hydrogen fuel and expand into a red giant, potentially engulfing Earth.
● Fact: The Sun constantly emits a stream of charged particles called the solar wind. ● Did You Know? This solar wind travels at incredible speeds, reaching up to a million miles per hour!
● Fact: Solar flares are massive bursts of energy, releasing radiation and magnetic forces into space. ● Did You Know? Solar flares can disrupt Earth's satellites, power grids, and radio communications.
● Fact: Auroras occur when charged particles from the solar wind interact with Earth's magnetic field. ● Did You Know? The color of auroras depends on the gases excited: oxygen produces green and red hues, and nitrogen causes blue and purple.
● Fact: The Sun emits a wide spectrum of light, including all colors, which combine to appear white. ● Did You Know? Earth's atmosphere scatters light, making the Sun appear yellow, orange, or red to our eyes, especially at sunrise and sunset.