sun

sun, intensely hot, self-luminous body of gases at the center of the solar system. Its gravitational attraction maintains the planets, comets, and other bodies of the solar system in their orbits.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• General Characteristics of the Sun
• Production of Solar Energy
• The Study of the Sun
• Importance to Terrestrial Life
• Bibliography

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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