SC.3.E.5.3 The Earth’s Closest Star

SC.3.E.5.3 Recognize that the Sun appears large and bright because it is the closest star to Earth.

What is the Closest Star to Earth?

Hold both hands all the way out in front of your face. Put your thumbs up. Are both of you thumbs the same size? They are. Now, leave your right hand stretched all the way out, but bring your left hand closer to your face. What happened to the way your thumbs appeared? The thumb on your left hand appeared to get larger as it got closer to your face.

The same thing happens to all objects. Things that are close appear large, and things that are far appear small, even if they are really the same size. The Sun appears large and bright because it is the closest star to the Earth.

All stars, including the Sun, are huge objects in space that produce, or make their own light. The Sun is a star. Like all stars, the Sun is a sphere, or shaped like a ball. Stars in the night sky are all so far away that they all appear so small we only see them as twinkling points of light. Some of the stars in the sky are much larger than the Sun. Some of the stars in the sky are much brighter than the Sun. The Sun appears large and bright because it is the closest star to Earth.