the sun is the star of our solar system. the earth and other matter (including other planets, asteroids, meteoroids, comets and dust) orbit the sun, which by itself accounts for more than 99% of the solar system"s mass.
energy from the sun—in the form of insolation from sunlight—supports almost all life on earth via photosynthesis, and drives the earth"s climate and weather.
the sun is sometimes referred to by its latin name sol or by its greek name helios. its astrological and astronomical symbol is a circle with a point at its center: . some ancient peoples of the world considered it a planet before the acceptance of heliocentrism.