You might already know that the
sun is a star! It's just one that is close
enough to the earth to give us lots of
light and warmth.
the power of sunlight is a big
part of the cycle of life.
Almost all living things need sunlight
to grow.
Plants use the sunlight to help them
make sugars from the air they breathe
through their leaves, and from water.
This sugar is then used by the plant
to grow.
This process is called
photosynthesis and is the most
important process on the planet.
People eat all sorts of things plants
grow, such as leaves, seeds, fruit,
roots, nuts and flowers.
the sun's light makes us all
happier and healthier!
Eating plants that grow in the sun's
light, like fruits and vegetables, helps
you get healthier!
Being in the sunshine also helps
your body produce Vitamin d.
That helps your bones and body grow
strong and healthy. So, just like a
plant, you need sunshine to grow!
Try this experiment:
Find a sunny place where plant life
is growing and find a way to block the
sunlight for a few days.
Try blocking the sunlight by covering
it up with a garden hose or towel (for
example).
After a few days uncover the plants.
What do you notice?
the
fun In the sun!
You can "catch" the light of the
sun with mirrors, and other items
that reflect light such as metal or
aluminum, and even liquids!
fun facts aBout the
sun
• The Sun is a star found at the
center of our Solar System.
• The Sun is around 865,000 miles
wide, about 110 times wider than the
Earth.
• Light from the Sun reaches Earth
in around 8 minutes.
• The temperature on the surface
of the sun is around 9941 degrees
Fahrenheit, so pack plenty of
sunscreen if you plan on visiting
(remember that Sun is about 100
million miles from the Earth).
• A solar eclipse occurs when the
Moon is between the Sun and the
Earth.
• The sun has produced energy for
billions of years. The sun's rays that
reach the earth is solar energy. It can
be changed into heat and electricity.
• Pine tree needles need just the
right amount of sunlight for the tree
to produce food. The triangle shape
of the tree is an adaptation that allows
more needles to "see" the sun.
• Sunlight has an ancient history of
healing. Prehistoric tribes and entire
civilizations worshipped the sun for its
healing properties.
• for example,
ancient egyptians
had a sun god called
ra while in aztec
mythology there is
a sun god named
tonatiuh.
• Millions of years ago, the sun's
energy helped prehistoric plants
to grow. When we burn coal
we are reusing that ancient sun
energy, because coal is made from
prehistoric trees.
• The sun is so bright
that looking directly at it
can damage your eyes.
Don't do that! Wearing
sunglasses or a cap is a
good idea on a sunny
day.
source: www.worldforumfoundation.org/nature; www.sciencekids.co.nz
Let's shed some light on it!
10 • June & July 2020 • officialkidsMag.com
