Every incredible detail about the Sun, for kids, is packed into this issue, which examines the Sun’s composition, its position in the Solar System and the larger universe, and its centrality to life as we know it.
Here comes the Sun! For kids who want to know all about this recycled, middle-aged and rather common star that gives us life, Sun is the one. Kids will enjoy descriptions of how Earth’s tilted orbit around the Sun creates the seasons, and enjoy learning about the different kinds of solar eclipses. Need a snack? How about taking a bite out of the Sun: We do it every time we eat plants that have stored the Sun’s energy in its leaves. But the Sun’s mighty power can also cause harm: Without the atmosphere to deflect the Sun’s solar wind, the average temperature on Earth would be 250°F degrees and we’d be fried to a crisp!
So how do we study the Sun if we can’t look directly at it? Simple – by viewing it through special telescopes that reveal its invisible ultraviolet and infrared light waves. Sun worshippers in ancient history didn’t have this option, but they did much to honor the Sun in art, music, and dance – even developing our yearly calendar around it. Also included: information on pulsars, supernovaes and other solar sisters of our Sun. For kids curious about alternative energy, an overview of solar power through the ages will also be interesting.
8 Topics in this unit
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Why Is Our Sun So Important?
The Sun is one of billions of stars in the Milky Way galaxy, yet to us here on Earth, it i ...
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A Star Is Born
Until about 4.6 billion years ago, our solar system was a giant cloud of gas, dust, and ic ...
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Rotation, Revolution, and Eclipses
For centuries, most people assumed that the Sun traveled around Earth. It seemed like an o ...
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The Relationship Between Earth and the Sun
Earth, Venus, and Mars are neighbors in the solar system. They’re also about the sam ...
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Seeing the Sun
Look at the picture below of an African landscape. The Sun plays a major role. How?
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Ancient Sun Worshipers
In ancient times, worship of Sun gods was fairly common. In fact, parts of that heritage r ...
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Nebulas, Supernovas, and More
In about 5 billion years, the Sun will die a spectacular death.
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How Solar Energy Works
Count to 60. By the time you’re done, Earth will have soaked up enough sunlight to m ...
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