A sunroof is a panel in the roof of a car that can open to let in fresh air and sunlight. Some sunroofs slide back into the roof, while others tilt up at an angle like a window being propped open. On a beautiful spring day, opening the sunroof transforms an ordinary car ride into something special: wind rushes through, you can see the sky and treetops passing overhead, and the whole car fills with sunshine.

The name makes perfect sense when you think about it: it's literally a roof that opens to the sun. Sunroofs became popular in the 1970s and 1980s as a luxury feature, though they're now common in many regular cars. Some people call them moonroofs instead, especially when they're made of glass that you can see through even when closed.

A sunroof gives you some of the fun of a convertible (a car whose entire roof folds down) without losing the protection and structure of a regular roof. Just remember to close it before a rainstorm, or you'll have a very wet problem on your hands.