PROPERTIES OF THE SUN Essential Questions

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: SC.912.E.5.4: Explain the physical properties of the Sun and its dynamic nature and connect them to conditions and events on Earth

What is the Anatomy of the Sun? Like the Earth, the Sun has several layers, including a core. Unlike the Earth, however, the elements of the Sun are so hot that they are neither solid, liquid or gas, but plasma.

What is the Anatomy of the Sun? The hottest part of the Sun is its core, where nuclear reactions take place. The radiative zone is the densest part of the sun. Convective currents in the convective zone carry energy from the radiative zone to the surface. The visible surface of the sun, and the sun’s lowest atmosphere, is the photosphere; this is where sunspots occur. The Chromosphere and the corona make up the Sun’s atmosphere and are hotter than the surface. Use the link below to learn about the anatomy of the Sun. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/labs/lab/sun/1/1/

What is Plasma? Plasma is the fourth state of matter. When gasses are super heated or electrically charged, electrons break loose from their nuclei and are free to move around. Use the link to watch a video more about star formation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2osF6l6-zWg

What are Photons? Photons are particles of light that are emitted when and atom changes from one state of matter to another In the Sun, photons are released as thermal nuclear fusion takes place and they travel at the speed of light. Use the link to learn more about photons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbM39XZMrNI

How Does the Sun’s Magnetic Field Affect Activity On Its Surface? The Sun’s magnetic field produces a variety of field lines. Some of the field lines are “open,” which means the extend out into the far reaches of the solar system. The majority of the magnetic field lines are “closed,” and responsible for such solar activity as sunspots, solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Use the link below to learn about the Sun’s magnetic field. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g1epPppIOM

What are Sunspots? How are They Formed? Sunspots are dark spots on the photosphere where light gets trapped. Sunspots appear dark because they are cooler than the rest of the area around then. They are formed by the Sun’s magnetic field lines, which prevent the photons from surfacing. Use the link below to learn about sunspots and how they are formed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZC2dfDS8g0Q

What is a Solar Prominence? Prominences are huge clouds gases which rise thousands of miles above the photosphere. The gasses follow the path of the magnetic field lines that connect pairs of sunspots. These field lines work to “anchor” the gasses to the Sun’s photosphere. Prominences can last for many weeks or even months if they form at boundaries between large scale magnetic fields. Use the link below to learn about solar prominences. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXzFgqQw6T8

What is the Solar Cycle? The solar cycle is the pattern in which the magnetic field of the sun “flips” roughly every 11 years, completing the cycle in 22 years. The solar cycle affects the sunspot cycle which is the pattern of sunspots that occur on the Sun during an average eleven year period. The solar minimum is when the number of sunspots is at its lowest; during the solar maximum, the number of sunspots is at its highest. Use the link below to learn about the solar cycle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sASbVkK-p0w

What are Solar Flares? Solar flares are violent explosions of x-rays and energy in the Sun’s chromosphere that spread in all directions. Occur when the magnetic fields of sunspots interact with each other. More frequent and more powerful during solar maximums. Traveling at the speed of light, a solar flare takes about eight minutes to reach the Earth Some of the more powerful flares can endanger astronauts in space, knock out satellites, and cause power outages on Earth. Use the link below to learn about solar flares and their effects. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmDZhQAIeXM

What are Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)? Giant clouds of the plasma that are blown into space When magnetic field lines become twisted, they can snap, releasing up to a billions tons of plasma into space. CMEs originate from the Sun’s photosphere If the ejection occurs facing the Earth, the material can be carried by solar winds and reach the planet within 3 days. When the magnetically charged material reaches Earth, it has the potential to disrupt anything that runs on electricity. Use the link to learn about the difference between solar flares and CMEs. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/labs/lab/sun/2/1/

What are Solar Winds? Solar winds originate in the Sun’s corona. As the corona expands, it releases mostly hydrogen ions and other charged particles in all directions of the solar system. Solar winds can reach every planet in the solar system. When the solar winds interact with the Earth’s atmosphere, they create the aurora of the night sky. Use the link below to learn about solar winds and their effects. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kZ6HSPkf8U