What role does the Sun play in our Solar System? A big one—both in size and importance. Our Sun is a 4.5 billion year old star at the center of our Solar System. It's gravity holds our Solar System together, keeping everything from planets to small pieces of debris, in orbit around it.
What role does the Sun play in our Solar System? A big one—both in size and importance. Our Sun is a 4.5 billion year old star at the center of our Solar System. It's gravity holds our Solar System together, keeping everything from planets to small pieces of debris, in orbit around it.
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Events
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View the Solar Eclipse at the Udvar-Hazy Center
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
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Solar Eclipse Festival on the National Mall
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
DC Metro Area
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Observe the Sun
DC Metro Area
Fridays and Saturdays from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, weather permitting.
Exhibitions
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Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets Gallery
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Learning Resources
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My Path: From Intern to Astrophysicist, Dr. Kelly Korreck
Solar Physicist Dr. Kelly Korreck tells the story of her career from a young University of Michigan undergraduate student to being a Solar Physicist for the NASA Parker Solar Probe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9dg3HU7hs0
Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9
Astronomy, Behind the scenes, People, Satellites, Stars, Sun, Technology and Engineering, Telescopes, Women
Student
cc-by-nc
Flights of Fancy Story Time: "The Sun’s Star Friends"
In this story, the Sun visits their star friends that can be found in our neighborhood of the Milky Way.
https://youtu.be/QAKCcYAdAxg
Grade PK, Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3
Science, Astronomy, Stars, Sun
Student
cc-by-nc
My Path: From Intern to Astrophysicist; Dr. Kelly Korreck
Solar Physicist Dr. Kelly Korreck tells the story of her career from a young University of Michigan undergraduate student to being a Solar Physicist for the NASA Parker Solar Probe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9dg3HU7hs0
Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9
Astronomy, Behind the scenes, People, Satellites, Spaceflight, Stars, Sun, Technology and Engineering, Telescopes, Women
Student
cc-by-nc
STEM in 30: Solar Eclipse Special: Live From the Path of Totality
STEM in 30 celebrates the 2017 Great American Eclipse live from Liberty, Missouri, in the path of totality, and at the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory at the Museum in Washington, DC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCcr3b638hQ
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Astronomy, Moon (Earth), Sun, Spaceflight
Student
cc-by-nc
What’s New in Aerospace: Summer Fun Summer Sun: The Solstice
During this live chat we discussed the solstice and answered your questions about the Sun.
https://youtu.be/LiD_y0lOy2E
Grade K, Grade PK, Grade 2, Grade 1, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Sun
Student
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My Path: The Sun Throws Temper Tantrums Learn About the Sun with Solar Physicist Dr. Kelly Korreck
Solar Physicist Dr. Kelly Korreck provides an in depth look of her exploration of the Sun and its effects on space weather.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-BPq6445wg
Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9
Astronomy, Behind the scenes, People, Satellites, Science, Sun, Stars, Technology and Engineering, Telescopes, Women
Student
cc-by-nc
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Moon (Earth)
Solar System
Telescopes
Dwarf planets
Sun
Stars
Small solar system bodies
Exoplanets