How Old Is the Sun? Unveiling the Age of Our Star

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The Sun, the heart of our Solar System, is approximately 4.6 billion years old. However, in galactic terms, its age is relative to the Milky Way's lifespan. The Milky Way itself is estimated to be over 13.6 billion years old, meaning the Sun is only about one-third of its parent galaxy’s age. Since the Sun orbits the Milky Way’s center every 225–250 million years, it has completed roughly 20 revolutions around the galactic core since its formation.

Among the planets, Mercury is considered the oldest in terms of solidification and geological history. Forming from the remnants of the solar nebula, Mercury’s surface has remained largely unchanged for billions of years, bombarded by cosmic impacts that have left it scarred and ancient. Unlike Earth, which continuously reshapes itself through plate tectonics, Mercury’s stagnant surface preserves its history, making it the oldest planetary witness to the Solar System’s early days.