The Washington PostThe Washington Post

Is the sun white or yellow? It's a hot debate, and everyone's wrong

By María Luisa Paúl

11 May 2023 · 4 min read

Editor's Note

The sun is a green star that looks white because it's too bright, and it can also appear yellow, orange or red because of how our atmosphere works. The Post explains.

Kids around the world have always drawn the sun a little differently. Americans tend to sketch a yellow circle surrounded by straight lines - sometimes with a smiley face or black shades. Japanese children might make their circle red, not unlike their country's flag.

Now, adults are fiercely debating the color of our solar system's star, with some insisting it has changed hues since their childhood.

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