Sunspots, Prominences, Solar Wind, Solar Flare
a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially one whose cause or explanation is in question. "glaciers are unique and interesting natural phenomena" synonyms:occurrence, event, happening, fact, situation, circumstance, experience, case, incident, episode
State Standard: 4. F Distinguish the structure and movements of objects in the solar system. (DOK 2) ◦ How phenomena on the sun’s surface (e.g., sunspots, prominences, solar wind, solar flares) affect Earth (e.g., auroras, interference in radio and television communication)
Solar phenomenon have a huge effect on Earth that you probably never realized – scrambling cable and power grids, messing up your GPS, affecting how much light we’re getting, dropping radio/phone reception. Today we’re going to find out why all those things happen!
Have you ever been driving in your car, jamming along to your favorite song on the radio when all of a sudden, the station gets static-y and disappears? What happened to cause the station to go out?!
Temporary (1)dark spots on the surface of the sun (2)Cooler areas Caused by increased magnetic activity
Cooler gases don’t give off as much light as hotter gases so the sunspots look darker!
Do sunspots stand out from the rest of the sun?
(3) Loss of cell phone/radio reception Increase of intensity of auroras Change in climate ( ’s)?
A natural light display in the sky When charged particles hit together Mostly found near Earth’s poles
(4)An arc of gas that erupts from the surface of the Sun Last for months, held in place by magnetic forces When they erupt, spew enormous amounts of solar material into space
Power grids, satellites, cable, GPS can all (5) be scrambled Auroras are intensified
(6) Continuous stream of electrically charged particles (from prominences, sunspots) Take about 4.5 days to get to Earth
(7) Cause auroras on Earth (and some other planets) The (8) disruption of electronic communications on Earth Pushing spacecraft around
What are two phenomena that can affect your cell phone service?
(11) Magnetic storm on the Sun which appears to be a very bright spot and a gaseous surface eruption. Lasts only for seconds (12) VERY hot
Can effect radio reception, auroras Effects planets without atmospheres more then the Earth
Why do sunspots look darker than the rest of the sun’s photosphere?
What is…an arc or loop of gas that links sunspot regions?
What are the very hot surface eruptions that occur when sunspot regions suddenly connect?
What is…a stream of electrically charged particles produced by the corona?
What is…a prominence?
Who can describe four features found on or just above the sun’s surface?
Tracking Sunspots NEGATIVE COORDINATES = SOUTH AND WEST
You’re on the phone with your boyfriend/girlfriend and they’re about to tell you their BEST secret. All of a sudden THE CALL DROPS! What two phenomena might have caused the loss of cell phone reception?