The Sun's original chemical composition was inherited from the interstellar medium out of which it formed. Originally it would have been about 71.1% hydrogen, 27.4% helium, and 1.5% heavier …

Dec 15, 2025 · Sun, star around which Earth and the other components of the solar system revolve. It is the dominant body of the system, constituting more than 99 percent of its entire …

Apr 22, 2025 · The core is the hottest part of the Sun. Nuclear reactions here – where hydrogen is fused to form helium – power the Sun’s heat and light. Temperatures top 27 million °F (15 …

Dec 4, 2025 · A clear guide to what the sun is made of, explaining sun composition, solar structure, and how space science uncovers the elements and layers powering our star.

1 day ago · Beyond hydrogen and helium: Explore the full elemental composition of the Sun, the scientific methods used to measure it, and how these elements generate solar energy.

Most of the elements found in the Sun are in the form of atoms, with a small number of molecules, all in the form of gases: the Sun is so hot that no matter can survive as a liquid or a solid.

Composition of the Sun

Hydrogen and helium together make up 98% of the mass of the Sun, whose composition is much more characteristic of the universe at large than is the composition of Earth.

Discover the Sun's composition, from its hydrogen and helium core to its outer layers. This article will answer the question, what is the sun made of?

The Sun’s interior domain includes the core, the radiative layer, and the convective layer (Figure 2–1). The core is the source of the Sun’s energy, the site of thermonuclear fusion. At a …