Samuel Chiltern answered
The sun is absolutely fundamental to the solar system. The gravitational pull it exerts is what keeps all the planets, dwarf planets and other celestial bodies within the bounds of the solar system.
I'll go on to elaborate on the importance of the sun in the rest of this answer.
The Gravitational Pull of the Sun
All the planets in the solar system have their own motion, which was originally given to them by the big bang, when the solar system formed. Without the enormous gravitational pull of the sun, the planets would simply shoot off into space.
The planets are each held in their own elliptical orbit by the force of the sun's gravity - and the nature of this attraction successfully prevents the planets from crashing into the sun as a consequence of the effects of that gravitational field.
The Importance of the Sun to Humanity
What follows is a purely academic argument, since we've already established that the solar system could not exist without the sun. However, without the heat and light emitted by the sun, life on our planet would be impossible, since it would be extremely dark and unbearably cold.
In short, the sun is absolutely fundamental to the existence of the solar system.
The Future of the Sun
The sun is now approximately half-way through its lifetime. In approximately 5 billion years time, as its supplies of hydrogen run out, it will have to begin to burn hotter in order to start consuming its supplies of helium instead.
This reaction will cause the sun to expand dramatically and engulf our planet, along with Mercury, Venus and Mars.
I'll go on to elaborate on the importance of the sun in the rest of this answer.
The Gravitational Pull of the Sun
All the planets in the solar system have their own motion, which was originally given to them by the big bang, when the solar system formed. Without the enormous gravitational pull of the sun, the planets would simply shoot off into space.
The planets are each held in their own elliptical orbit by the force of the sun's gravity - and the nature of this attraction successfully prevents the planets from crashing into the sun as a consequence of the effects of that gravitational field.
The Importance of the Sun to Humanity
What follows is a purely academic argument, since we've already established that the solar system could not exist without the sun. However, without the heat and light emitted by the sun, life on our planet would be impossible, since it would be extremely dark and unbearably cold.
In short, the sun is absolutely fundamental to the existence of the solar system.
The Future of the Sun
The sun is now approximately half-way through its lifetime. In approximately 5 billion years time, as its supplies of hydrogen run out, it will have to begin to burn hotter in order to start consuming its supplies of helium instead.
This reaction will cause the sun to expand dramatically and engulf our planet, along with Mercury, Venus and Mars.
