2. THE SUN
▸ Largest object in the solar system
▸ 99.8% of solar system’s mass
▸ Sheds most of heat and light that makes life possible on earth and
possibly elsewhere
▸ Planets orbit the sun in elliptical (oval-shaped) path; sun slightly off-
center from each ellipse
3. EXPLORATION OF THE SUN
▸ NASA has a fleet of spacecraft observing the sun
▸ Learn more about its composition
▸ Make better predictions about solar activity and its effect on Earth
4. TEST YOURSELF
▸ What is the sun’s importance to Earth and other parts of the solar
system?
▸ What is NASA learning about the sun from its exploration by spacecraft?
