What type of star is the Sun classified as?

The Sun is classified as a G-type main-sequence star, often referred to as a G dwarf star. This classification is based on the Sun’s temperature, luminosity, size, and stage in its stellar life cycle. G-type stars like the Sun have surface temperatures ranging from about 5,300 to 6,000 Kelvin, giving them a yellowish hue. They are characterized by their stable hydrogen-burning phase, during which they fusing hydrogen into helium in their cores.

In contrast, supergiant stars are much larger and more massive than the Sun, often exhausting their hydrogen fuel volume much quicker due to their larger mass and eventually undergoing supernova events. Red dwarf stars are smaller and cooler than the Sun, typically having lower temperatures and brightness. These stars have a long lifespan, burning their hydrogen very slowly compared to more massive stars. Binary stars refer to systems where two stars orbit around a common center of mass; the Sun is a solitary star, not part of a binary system. Thus, the classification of the Sun as a G-type main-sequence star accurately reflects its properties and life stage.