sunlike

Sunlike is an adjective used to describe objects, properties, or phenomena that resemble the Sun. In astronomy, the term is often used to refer to sunlike stars, which are stars with physical characteristics similar to the Sun. The most common subclass is solar analogs—main-sequence stars roughly of spectral type G2V with masses around 0.9–1.1 solar masses, effective temperatures near 5,700–6,000 K, and luminosities close to one solar luminosity. Within this group, solar twins are stars whose temperatures, chemical compositions, and ages closely match those of the Sun, while solar analogs allow a broader range of similarity.

Sunlike stars are of particular interest in studies of planetary systems, as their stable luminosities and long main-sequence lifetimes create favorable conditions for habitable zones comparable to Earth's. Surveys of sunlike stars aim to detect exoplanets and to understand how common solar-type planetary systems are across the galaxy. The Sun itself serves as the archetype of sunlike stellar properties.

The term sunlike can also appear outside astronomy, used in branding or product names to convey associations with warmth, light, or the Sun. When encountered in non-astronomical contexts, it generally indicates a design or aesthetic inspired by solar characteristics rather than a scientific classification.

See also: solar analog, solar twin, solar-type star, habitable zone.