If there wasn't an easier thing to pull off, why would Muhammad claim to split the moon? it's because he didn't think of the moon as a giant piece of rock orbiting another giant piece of rock. He thought of the moon as something mystical and magical in nature. This sort of context is really important. Put yourself in his shoes, he looks up at the sky, sees a 2D object, doesn't know what it is, and attributes magical qualities to it. With that mindset, splitting the moon isn't that big of a deal. What he thought of the moon, he is also thought of the sun. See this hadith.
Sahih-Muslim, Book 001, Number 0297
"It is narrated on the authority of Abu Dharr that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) one day said:
Do you know where the sun goes?
They replied: Allah and His Apostle know best.
He (the Holy Prophet) observed: Verily it (the sun) glides till it reaches its resting place under the Throne. Then it falls prostrate and remains there until it is asked: Rise up and go to the place whence you came, and it goes back and continues emerging out from its rising place and then glides till it reaches its place of rest under the Throne and falls prostrate and remains in that state until it is asked: Rise up and return to the place whence you came, and it returns and emerges out from it rising place and the it glides (in such a normal way) that the people do not discern anything ( unusual in it) till it reaches its resting place under the Throne. Then it would be said to it: Rise up and emerge out from the place of your setting, and it will rise from the place of its setting.
The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said. Do you know when it would happen? It would happen at the time when faith will not benefit one who has not previously believed or has derived no good from the faith.