Yes, it is true that it takes approximately eight minutes and 20 seconds for sunlight to reach Earth. This phenomenon is due to the vast distance between the Sun and our planet.

The average distance from the Sun to Earth is about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers). Since light travels at a speed of about 186,282 miles per second (299,792 kilometers per second), it takes some time for light to cover this immense distance.

To put it into perspective, imagine you are standing on Earth and looking at the Sun. The light you see is actually the light that left the Sun over eight minutes ago. This means that you are observing the Sun as it appeared eight minutes and 20 seconds ago.

Here's a simple calculation to illustrate this:

Distance from the Sun to Earth: 93 million miles (150 million kilometers)

Speed of light: 186,282 miles per second (299,792 kilometers per second)

Time taken for light to travel from the Sun to Earth:

Distance / Speed = Time

93,000,000 miles / 186,282 miles per second = 498.65 seconds

498.65 seconds ≈ 8 minutes and 20 seconds

Therefore, it takes approximately eight minutes and 20 seconds for sunlight to reach Earth.

References:

1. NASA - The Sun: In Depth
2. Space.com - How Long Does It Take Sunlight to Reach Earth?