How is the sun different from other stars?
Quick Answer
The main difference between the sun and any other star is the distance each are from Earth. The sun is closer to this planet than all of the other stars.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
Size is another major difference between the sun and other stars. The sun is the biggest star in this solar system. Within the whole universe, the sun is quite small compared to the enormous stars that exist beyond our solar system. The largest star that scientists have discovered is called Mu Cephei. Over one billion of Earth's suns could fit inside of Mu Cephei. This massive star is considered to be a giant in the universe.
Stars also differ in temperature. Temperature differences can be interpreted using color changes. Stars that burn red and orange are much cooler in temperature than the sun. Stars that burn white or blue-white are much hotter than the sun.
As well as mass and temperature, all of the stars also differ in age. The sun in this solar system is approximately five billion years old, making it a middle-aged star. As the stars grow older, they are subject to changes in mass, size and temperature. Sometimes, stars can even lose mass as they age.
Learn more about Our SunRelated Questions
-
Q:
What is Europa's distance from the sun?
A: Europa is one of Jupiter's four large moons, and its distance from the sun is always the same as Jupiter's, plus or minus the radius of Europa's orbit. Dep... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What type of star is the sun?
A: The sun is classified as a G2V star, sometimes referred to as a yellow dwarf. It is a Population I star in its main sequence. Although called a yellow dwar... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Why is the sun brighter than other stars?
A: How bright a star appears from Earth is a function of its intrinsic brightness, called its absolute magnitude, and its distance. Together, these factors ma... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Why does the sun heat the Earth unevenly?
A: The sun heats the Earth unevenly, primarily because the Earth is covered by water and land that heat and cool at different rates. Moreover, the equator hea... Full Answer >Filed Under:
You May Also Like
-
Q:
What happens to stars as they age?
-
Q:
How many times can the sun salutation be performed?
-
Q:
How did the sun form?
-
Q:
How long does it take Jupiter to complete a revolution around the sun?
-
Q:
What are the names of some major stars in our galaxy?
-
Q:
What are the white spots on skin from sun exposure?
