The Sun

PERFORMER	various
DEBUT	1972

The Sun is the star at the center of our solar system. It is one of many billions of stars in the known universe, differentiated by Earthlings as Sol. The Earth and other matter (including other planets, asteroids, meteoroids, comets and dust) orbit the Sun, which by itself accounts for more than 99% of the solar system's mass. Energy from the Sun -- in the form of insulation from sunlight -- supports almost all life on Earth via photosynthesis, and drives the Earth's climate and weather.

It has been stated that all earth-bound life lives together "on a planet of the sun." The sun has also been known to cause sneezing, sunburns, and in certain individuals, to activate "powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men." Big Bird has been known to greet this star with "Good Morning, Mister Sun," while the Skeksis have built an elaborate daily ritual around it. For a time, the sun refused to shine over the Kingdom of Phumph. Few have ever seen the sun come up in the west.

The Sun as a character

• In Guy Smiley's "Here Is Your Life" sketch on Sesame Street Season 4, the Sun (performed by Jerry Nelson) pays tribute to Oak Tree, who grew thanks to the Sun's shine. Oak Tree thanks the Sun and his partner Cloud. The character also appeared in the book Grover and the Everything in the Whole Wide World Museum.

• A different sun puppet (this one wearing sunglasses) appeared in the "Here is Your Life" salute to a carton of eggs (in which he was performed by Jim Martin). The same puppet (without sunglasses) also appeared in "Elmo's World: Sky" (performed by Fran Brill), "Don't Forget to Watch the Movie," and "The New Here is Your Life" saluting a Glass of Milk (performed by Joey Mazzarino).

• A grouchy sun (performed by Peter Linz) appeared in Sesame Street Episode 3133 as part of the story of "The Stinkweed and the Sun."

• A sun (performed by Martin P. Robinson) appeared in the Sesame Street song "Happy!"

• A female sun (played by Kevin Clash) appeared on Guy Smiley's helping hand show "Where Do I Belong?"

• The sun (performed by David Rudman) appeared in the "My Elmo: The Four Seasons" episode of My Sesame Street Friends.

• On Bear in the Big Blue House, the Sun is known as Ray.

The sun in "Here Is Your Life" tribute to an oak tree
(performed by Jerry Nelson)

The sun in "Here Is Your Life" tribute to carton of eggs
(performed by Jim Martin)

The sun on Elmo's World
(performed by Fran Brill)

The sun in "The New Here Is Your Life" tribute to a glass of milk
(performed by Joey Mazzarino)

The sun in "Happy!"
(performed by Martin P. Robinson)

A female sun in "Where Do I Belong?"
(performed by Kevin Clash)

A grouchy sun in Episode 3133
(performed by Peter Linz)

The sun in My Sesame Street Friends
(performed by David Rudman)

Ray, the sun on Bear in the Big Blue House

Characters as the sun

Herry Monster in the Sesame Street pageant "A Flower Grows" (First: Episode 0578)

Herry Monster in the Sesame Street pageant "The Sky Cooperates" (First: Episode 2420)

Snuffy in "The Sesame Street Weather Play" in Don't Be Shy

Sam in the Bambaloo episode "Grow Your Own"

Jet in the Bambaloo episode "The Hottest Spot"

See also

• Stars
• Elmo's World: Sun! (book)