Sign up for special offers:



ENDS WEDNESDAY
BUY 1 GET 1 FREE
+ FREE Shipping
48 Hour SALE More info
Free Shipping FREE Shipping
Satisfaction Guarantee Satisfaction Guarantee
Top Notch Customer Service Top Notch Customer Service
Free Samples FREE Samples
Literally at the center of our galaxy lies a reason for our existence: the sun. The sun has often been personified in mythology as a life-bringer. In ancient Egypt, the sun god Ra was the father of the Egyptian civilization, particularly the pharaohs, giving the royal family the divine right to rule. Apollo and Helios in Greek mythology are both personified as light deities connected to the sun and both established and maintained order in the universe with their many powers. Aztec legends attribute the sun to many gods, each bringing gifts to mankind that improve their lives by keeping them fed and warm and protecting them from their enemies. In short, the importance of this glowing orb that travels the sky has always been acknowledged and respected. With the advances of modern science and astronomy, we have been able to become even more acquainted with the facts and science behind the workings of this fantastically complex and important celestial body.




What is the sun?


The sun is classified as a G2 type V yellow star. "G2" refers to the elemental signature that the sun emits (mainly that it emits more calcium and magnesium than other stars); "type V" tells us that the sun is classified as a dwarf star, which means relative to other stars, our sun is a smaller size than giant stars like Betelgeuse. That doesn't mean our sun is tiny: In fact, it's 875,000 miles across and could fit 1,600 Saturns inside of it! The classification as a yellow star tells us that our Sun is in the medium to low range when it comes to star temperature.




How was it formed?


The sun was formed from a large cloud of space dust and gases, which gravity acted upon to draw it together. After a few million years, the force of gravity pulling all of these bits together brought about a rotational force that helped concentrate all of this swirling matter toward its center, causing a gradual increase in temperature. As more matter was pulled in by gravity, energy output continued to increase until there was enough energy to cause a nuclear reaction. Once this explosion had occurred, our sun was born as a new star.




What is it made of?


Our sun is actually a big, burning ball of plasma. The most prominent gas is hydrogen, which makes up the majority of the sun's composition (around 70%). Helium is the next plentiful gas on the sun and comprises around 28% of the sun's gases. The remaining small percentage is filled by gases like neon and particulates of iron, silicon, and other elements.




How does it create energy?


Due to the high temperatures in the center of the sun, the hydrogen nearest to this innermost core is so hot that it actually breaks down into smaller particles, protons and electrons, and those particles fuse with particles of helium. As these hydrogen molecules are being toasted to bits and then fused with other atoms, they release massive amounts of energy, which is always trying to move outward. This is called nuclear fusion, which is how the sun creates most of its energy.




How does it provide energy to the Earth?


The sun emits rays that travel through space to the Earth. Some of these light rays we can see, but others, like X-rays, we can't see. The type of energy the Earth receives from the sun is called radiant energy. When these rays of energy enter the atmosphere, some bounce off the clouds and are sent back out into space, but most are absorbed by the Earth and transformed into heat. This heat warms the planet to keep it from getting too cold and warms the water on Earth, evaporating it and starting the water cycle. The energy we receive from the Sun also enables our plant life to create food for itself, which helps to generate oxygen for us and stabilizes our food chain.




What are the layers of the solar atmosphere?


Like Earth, the sun is made up of many layers. The innermost layer is called the core, and it is a dense, solid, and extremely hot orb of metal (27,000,000 degrees Farenheit!). Right outside the core is the solar envelope, which puts pressure on the core and maintains the core's high temperature. Next is the photosphere: This layer is what we're seeing when the sun shines, and this is also the layer we can observe sun spots on - these are cooler areas on the sun's surface. After that is the chromosphere, a layer only visible during a solar eclipse; it produces a red glow around the sun, caused by the high concentration of hydrogen. The corona is the final and outermost layer of the sun, and like the chromosphere, it is only visible during a solar eclipse.




Does the sun rotate?


Yes! The sun isn't just hanging out there; it does actually rotate on its own axis. The sun turns a full rotation on its axis once every 26 days. Incredibly, different parts of the sun rotate at different rates. The fastest rotation of the sun occurs at the sun's equator, and at each of the poles, the sun's rotation is actually slower: It takes 30 days for the poles to fully rotate. This type of rotation is called differential rotation.




What are solar flares?


A solar flare is a reaction that occurs as the result of a buildup of magnetic energy in the solar atmosphere. When this energy is suddenly released, there is a quick flash of brightness, which we define as a solar flare. Solar flares are set off when large magnetic loops on the sun called prominences come into contact with each other. A solar flare releases a huge amount of energy; average solar flares contain energy bursts nearly ten million times greater than those caused by volcanic activity on earth. Due to the sun's brightness, it's very difficult to see solar flares even with a telescope (and you should never look directly at the sun, as you can damage your eyes). To detect a solar flare, scientists use special equipment to measure emissions of radiation, which tell them when a solar flare is occurring and classify it based on the concentration of the X-ray wavelengths it emits.




What is a solar eclipse?


A solar eclipse is a celestial phenomenon in which the moon comes between Earth and the sun. There are two types of eclipses. The first, a total eclipse, means that the sun is completely blocked by the moon for a few moments; the second type, a partial eclipse, is when the sun is not fully blotted out by the moon. Eclipses can only occur during the new moon phase of our moon, and they often do not occur every time there is a new moon because of the different angles at which Earth, the moon and the sun all rotate. But eclipses do occur more than you might think; there are at least two solar eclipses a year, though usually, they are only partial eclipses.


Article written by Lexi Westingate

Back to Top
x Blinds Chalet Guarantee Options
DetailsGoodBetterBest
PricingFREE$$$
Duration
3 year limited warranty
5 year limited warranty
5 year unlimited
Warranty
Defects
Parts
Restrings
Normal wear & tear
Anything
30 Day Measure
30 Day Returns
3 Year Standard Guarantee
Who is covered:
  • Warranties cover the original purchaser of the window blinds and shades.
What is covered:
  • Any defects in materials of workmanship
  • Operating mechanisms and other parts
  • Cell separation on honeycomb/cellular shades
  • Warping slats for faux wood and wood blinds
  • Broken vertical vanes
  • Restrings for internal cords
What is not covered:
  • Parts that fail due to accident, alteration and/or improper use
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Color fading due to excessive exposure to sunlight, moisture or improper cleaning
  • Accidental damage
Resolution:
  • BlindsChalet.com reserves, at its discretion, the right to repair, replace or refund any blinds found defective.
  • If there are multiple blinds/shades in the same room, only the defective product will be replaced/repaired.
  • In the event that a product, color or product feature has been discontinued and it is no longer available we will provide a substitute product as similar as possible to the original blind or shade.
  • Shipping for warranty issues is the responsibility of the customer to and from the repair facility. Packaging on return shipments is the responsibility of the customer.

30 Day Measuring Insurance

This plan does not cover measuring errors. Following the easy measuring instructions will ensure a proper fit.

30 Day Returns

This plan does not cover returns.
5 Year Guaranteed to Fit
Who is covered:
  • Warranties cover the original purchaser of the window blinds and shades.
What is covered:
  • Any defects in materials of workmanship
  • Operating mechanisms and other parts
  • Cell separation on honeycomb/cellular shades
  • Warping slats for faux wood and wood blinds
  • Broken vertical vanes
  • Restrings for internal cords
What is not covered:
  • Parts that fail due to accident, alteration and/or improper use
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Color fading due to excessive exposure to sunlight, moisture or improper cleaning
  • Accidental damage
Resolution:
  • BlindsChalet.com reserves, at its discretion, the right to repair, replace or refund any blinds found defective.
  • If there are multiple blinds/shades in the same room, only the defective product will be replaced/repaired.
  • In the event that a product, color or product feature has been discontinued and it is no longer available we will provide a substitute product as similar as possible to the original blind or shade.
  • Shipping for warranty issues is the responsibility of the customer to and from the repair facility. Packaging on return shipments is the responsibility of the customer.

30 Day Measuring Insurance

Following the easy measuring instructions will ensure a proper fit, however, we all make errors from time to time and this protection plan covers any mis-measurement mistakes. If the window coverings do not fit, please let us know within 30 days of receiving the items. The blinds/shades will be remade at the correct dimensions at no cost to you unless there is a difference in price between the old and new sizes or if the new size requires an oversize shipping fee. Limit is 1 remake per blind/shade. All remakes will have to be remade in the same color, feature and specifications, no changes are allowed.

Shutters,custom graphic shades, commercial/dealer orders are not covered.

Any mis-measurements reported after 30 days will not be covered, however, new blinds and shades can be ordered with an additional 10% discount.

30 Day Returns

This plan does not cover returns.
5 Year Guaranteed to Love
Who is covered:
  • Warranties cover the original purchaser of the window blinds and shades.
What is covered:
  • Any defects in materials of workmanship
  • Operating mechanisms and other parts
  • Cell separation on honeycomb/cellular shades
  • Warping slats for faux wood and wood blinds
  • Broken vertical vanes
  • Restrings for internal cords
  • Parts that fail due to accident, alteration and/or improper use
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Color fading due to excessive exposure to sunlight, moisture or improper cleaning
  • Accidental damage
Resolution:
  • BlindsChalet.com reserves, at its discretion, the right to repair, replace or refund any blinds found defective.
  • If there are multiple blinds/shades in the same room, only the defective product will be replaced/repaired.
  • In the event that a product, color or product feature has been discontinued and it is no longer available we will provide a substitute product as similar as possible to the original blind or shade.
  • Shipping for warranty issues is the responsibility of the customer to and from the repair facility. Packaging on return shipments is the responsibility of the customer.


30 Day Measuring Insurance

Following the easy measuring instructions will ensure a proper fit, however, we all make errors from time to time and this protection plan covers any mis-measurement mistakes. If the window coverings do not fit, please let us know within 30 days of receiving the items. The blinds/shades will be remade at the correct dimensions at no cost to you unless there is a difference in price between the old and new sizes or if the new size requires an oversize shipping fee. Limit is 1 remake per blind/shade. All remakes will have to be remade in the same color, feature and specifications, no changes are allowed.

Shutters,custom graphic shades, commercial/dealer orders are not covered.

Any mis-measurements reported after 30 days will not be covered, however, new blinds and shades can be ordered with an additional 10% discount.

30 Day Returns

If for any reason you are not satisfied with the window coverings and wish to return them, please notify us within 30 days of receiving the order. Our customer care department will provide a Return Authorization Number (RGA) and shipping address for the return. Please note, return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer and shipping labels are not provided. Refunds will be processed within 2-3 business days after we receive the items (Guaranteed to Love fee is not refundable).

Shutters,custom graphic shades, commercial/dealer orders are not covered.
ad
X
The term "Retail" price refers to the manufacturer's or supplier's suggested retail price for an item. The initially displayed Retail price is specific to a product with the selected dimensions and default options/features. Please note that the Retail price for the selected product will be provided upon specifying its width, height, features and options.

Please note that the Retail price may not reflect the prevailing market price or the regular retail price. It is common for products to be sold at lower prices than the Retail price due to various factors, including promotional events, discounts, market competition, or supplier agreements.

Products may be offered at the same or lower "After Coupon" prices during future promotional events starting on or after the final day of any advertised promotion.

Learn More