Learn about the history of our understanding of the sun, perfect for 8-year-olds.
The sun has been around for a very long time, way before people started writing history! So, we can't really say that one person 'discovered' it because everyone on Earth has always seen it in the sky. However, many ancient civilizations studied the sun and learned a lot about it.
For example, the Egyptians built pyramids that were aligned with where the sun rises and sets, showing that they understood its importance. They worshipped the sun as a god because it gives us light and warmth. The Greeks also studied the sun and made important discoveries about it.
It wasn't until much later, around the time of Galileo Galilei in the 1600s, that people started to understand more about the sun as a star. Galileo used a telescope to look at the sun and other heavenly bodies, helping us learn more about space!
So, while no one person discovered the sun, many people throughout history have helped us understand it better.