If it were possible to drive from the Earth to the sun, the amount of time required for the journey is slightly more than 1.55 million hours at a rate of 60 mph. That is approximately 64,597 days or about 177 years.
The sun is approximately 93.02 million miles from the Earth. In comparison, if it were possible to drive at a rate of 60 mph to reach the moon, the time required is just slightly less than 3,981 hours. This translates to just over 165 days or about 5 ½ months. The moon is approximately 238,857 miles from the Earth, according to About.com.Learn More
The planets of the solar system revolve around the Sun due to the force of its gravitational pull. The elliptical orbit of the planets is a result of the Sun's gravity, which acts to pull the planets closer, balanced by the forward momentum of the planets.Full Answer >
The red or orange tint the sun sometimes takes is caused by small particles in the Earth's atmosphere. The sun appears redder at sunset because the light must pass through a greater thickness of air compared to when the sun is at its zenith.Full Answer >
Light is necessary for the survival of life on Earth, as almost all energy used by life is derived from the sun. Plants and algae use light energy in photosynthesis, which provides usable chemical energy for heterotrophic organisms. In addition, without light, the Earth would be completely cold and dark, as even the moon gets its glow from reflecting the sun.Full Answer >
The sun appears to move across the Earth's sky as a consequence of the Earth's rotation. As Earth turns on its axis, an observer on the surface sees the sun appear to come up somewhere over the eastern horizon, rise to a peak around midday and then begin its descent toward the west. This cycle varies slightly from one latitude to another, as well as from one day to another.Full Answer >