Sun and solar system

The Solar System can be seen as our immediate neighbourhood, the dimensions of which we are only just able to explore with space probes. It is the only region in the universe from which we not only receive light, but also can directly analyse material. All space travel - so far - takes place in the catchment area of our Sun.

From an astronomer's point of view, the Sun is just a single example of the billions of stars in the universe. However, for the Earth and, in particular, the creatures living on it, the Sun, as the central star of our Solar System and provider of light, plays a proverbial central role.