At the center of our solar system is a star called the sun. It is easily the most important source of energy for life on Earth, and it is what our planet, and the other planets in our solar system, orbit around. The sun is the largest object in our solar system, representing more than 99.86 percent of the solar system’s total mass. Our sun is not only large, but it also comes with an almost endless list of interesting facts that are fun to learn about.

Here are some interesting facts to know about the sun:

• Scientists say it is 4.6 billion years old.

• The surface temperature of the sun is 5,500 degrees Celsius.

• It generates solar wind, which is a stream of charged particles that travel through the solar system at 450 kilometers a second; thankfully, Earth’s magnetic field is strong and can deflect these particles.

• The sun’s core can reach a temperature of 15 million degrees Celsius.

• The sun is the closest thing to a perfect sphere that has ever been observed in nature.

• A solar eclipse – when the moon blocks our view of the sun by passing between the sun and the Earth – occurs two to five times a year, and a full solar eclipse can last for seven and a half minutes.

Our Alachua, Florida, apartments come in beautiful color palettes (beige, taupe, or gray), feature nine-foot ceilings with crown molding, and are equipped with full-size washer/dryer hookups. To learn more, or to schedule a tour of our community, contact us today.