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The Sun is classified as a star, specifically a G-type main-sequence star (G dwarf). It is the central object of our solar system and is responsible for providing light and heat that make life on Earth possible. Like other stars, the Sun is a giant sphere of hot gases, mainly hydrogen (about 74%) and helium (about 24%), undergoing continuous nuclear fusion reactions in its core.

In the Sun’s core, hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the form of light and heat. This energy travels outward through different layers of the Sun and eventually reaches space, providing warmth and sunlight to the planets orbiting it.

Unlike a planet, which is a solid or gaseous body that orbits a star, the Sun itself is the star that other celestial bodies, including planets, asteroids, and comets, revolve around. It is much larger than any planet in our solar system, with a diameter of about 1.39 million kilometers, roughly 109 times the size of Earth.

An asteroid is a small rocky body orbiting the Sun, mainly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. A meteor is a fragment of rock or metal that enters Earth’s atmosphere and burns due to friction, producing a streak of light. Neither of these can be compared to the Sun in size or nature.

The Sun’s gravity keeps the entire solar system in place, binding planets, moons, and other objects in their orbits. It is a typical star among the estimated 100 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy, although it is the only one close enough to support life on Earth.

This question belongs to Physics (Astronomy branch) because it deals with the classification of celestial objects and their properties.