The sun
We don't need to tell you that Britain is sweltering in a heat wave - but we can blame it on the sun. Read our guide to the hub of this solar system.
1. Britain is experiencing the most sizzling temperatures this year, according to the Met Office.
2 The sun is by far the largest object in our solar system. The surface of the sun, called the photosphere, is at a temperature of about 5527C (9980.6F). Its heat and light are produced by internal nuclear fusion.
3. Many civilisations have worshipped the sun, including King Akhenaten of ancient Egypt, who believed that the sun, named Aton, was God and that he himself was Aton's son. The sun was known to the Greeks as Helios and the Romans as Sol.
4. Sun worship continues today in the form of every beach bunny's dream, the perfect tan. But do be careful if you're thinking of hitting the beach, or even the back garden. You'd be well advised to slip, slop, slap: that is, slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat.
5. The sun is noisy as well as hot and bright. Researchers have spotted giant sound waves more than 31 miles high tearing across the surface of the sun. But fear not our noisy neighbour - sound cannot travel across the vacuum between the sun and Earth.
6. The sun has provided the inspiration for artists and musicians for thousands of years.
7. The sundial is one of the human race's earliest achievements in marking time, and the modern wrist watch would be nothing without it. They can be found in many ancient civilisations, including the Babylonian, Greek, Egyptian and Roman ages. These days, though, you are most likely to find sundials at your local garden centre.
8. Who turned the lights off? Solar eclipses are a marvellous sight to behold, when conditions allow.
9. Fashion statement, sun protection, or maybe just to mask those morning-after eyes, sunglasses come in very handy. You can even get the look straight from your favourite movie or celeb.
10. Taking your clothes off in public is not something that comes easily to the British. You only have to hint at the word "nude" to have people blushing or sniggering like schoolchildren. But not naturists, who take their clothes off outdoors simply because they enjoy the freedom and the sensation of the sun and fresh air on their skin. Naked rambling, anyone?
2 The sun is by far the largest object in our solar system. The surface of the sun, called the photosphere, is at a temperature of about 5527C (9980.6F). Its heat and light are produced by internal nuclear fusion.
3. Many civilisations have worshipped the sun, including King Akhenaten of ancient Egypt, who believed that the sun, named Aton, was God and that he himself was Aton's son. The sun was known to the Greeks as Helios and the Romans as Sol.
4. Sun worship continues today in the form of every beach bunny's dream, the perfect tan. But do be careful if you're thinking of hitting the beach, or even the back garden. You'd be well advised to slip, slop, slap: that is, slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat.
5. The sun is noisy as well as hot and bright. Researchers have spotted giant sound waves more than 31 miles high tearing across the surface of the sun. But fear not our noisy neighbour - sound cannot travel across the vacuum between the sun and Earth.
6. The sun has provided the inspiration for artists and musicians for thousands of years.
7. The sundial is one of the human race's earliest achievements in marking time, and the modern wrist watch would be nothing without it. They can be found in many ancient civilisations, including the Babylonian, Greek, Egyptian and Roman ages. These days, though, you are most likely to find sundials at your local garden centre.
8. Who turned the lights off? Solar eclipses are a marvellous sight to behold, when conditions allow.
9. Fashion statement, sun protection, or maybe just to mask those morning-after eyes, sunglasses come in very handy. You can even get the look straight from your favourite movie or celeb.
10. Taking your clothes off in public is not something that comes easily to the British. You only have to hint at the word "nude" to have people blushing or sniggering like schoolchildren. But not naturists, who take their clothes off outdoors simply because they enjoy the freedom and the sensation of the sun and fresh air on their skin. Naked rambling, anyone?
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