The Sun: Our Shining Star

why does the Sun seem brighter and bigger than other stars?

• It produces a lot of energy

• It is the star closest to us

• It grows brighter and bigger each year

• It is made up of very hot

Which sentence from the selection supports the idea that the Sun produces a huge amount of energy?

• Most scientists think that the Sun and solar system formed about 5 billion years ago

• The diameter of the Sun is nearly 865,000 miles

• The temperature of the Sun's surface is about 10,000 F

• How much energy a planet gets from the Sun depends on its position in the solar system

Based on details in paragraphs 3-5, what would most likely happen if the Sun's energy greatly increased?

• Earth would be unable to support life

• Earth would move closer to the Sun

• Earth would cool off slightly

• Earth would not stay in orbit around the Sun

"Deep inside the Sun, at its core, the temperature is millions of time hotter".

Which word or words in the sentence best help the reader understand the meaning of core?

• deep inside

• temperature

• millions of times

• hotter

According to the selection and the diagram, which object is at the center of the solar system?

• Earth

• Saturn

• Mars

• Sun

Which idea from the selection is represented in the diagram?

• the time it takes the Sun's energy to reach Earth

• the gases that make up the Sun

• the orbit of the planets around the Sun

• the temperature of the Sun's surface

Based on the selection and the diagram, which planet is the coldest in the solar system?

• Mercury

• Mars

• Jupiter

• Neptune

Which sentence from the selection states its main idea?

• "Earth's position keeps it warm enough, so that most of the water on the planet is in liquid form"

• "You would need more than 100 Earths to cover the length of the Sun's diameter

• "The powerful energy of the Sun provides Earth and the other planets in our solar system with light and heat"

• "Some groups of ancient people built temples to worship the Sun"