The Sun makes up more than 99 percent of the total mass of the solar system. Because it is so massive, the Sun exerts a lot of gravity, or pull, on the planets—enough to make them orbit around it.

If the planets were not moving forward at a speed fast enough to balance the Sun's sideways pull, they would fall into the Sun.

The Sun's gravity is about 27.9 times that of Earth, and, in a small way, it helps to control the tides on Earth.

Find out more facts about your Sun!