How close can humans get to the sun?

Engineering-wise, right now in 2012, we don't have the hardware or transportation

systems to carry people to the moon, and the sun is roughly 400 times farther away

than that. So in that sense, the answer is: No closer than you are right now.

Survival-wise, if we didn't have this nice thick blanket of atmosphere protecting us,

we would be in big trouble from the sun right where we're at. Consider what happens

if you sit out on the beach a little too long in July or August.

So in the survival sense, the answer is: As close as you can bring along enough

protective gear to make it seem as if you're not really where you are.