1. The Sun & It’s Solar System

2. I. Safe Methods for Studying the Sun
Spectroscope
Solar Telescope
Satellites

3. 1. Spectroscope
Chemical composition
Temperature
Internal Pressure

4. 2. Solar Telescopes
Projects a large image of the sun into a dark underground room
Uses special glasses for viewing
Ex. Kitt Peak National Observatory in AZ

5. 3. Satellites
SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory): Study Sun-Earth Connection, launched in 1996
YOHKOH Spacecraft (designed to study the Sun’s Corona, launched in 1991):
ULYSSES in a polar orbit over the sun

6. Solar Max to Solar Minimum

7. B. Properties of the Sun Average size star Diameter = 1,380,000 Km
Surface Temp = 55000C
Interior Temp = 15,000,0000C

8. The Sun The Sun is a star All stars are a large ball of hot gas
Main Sequence stars- Nuclear Fusion of Hydrogen gas

9. The Sun

11. The Core The source of the Sun’s Energy
Where Nuclear Fusion fuels the Sun
Can reach 15,000,000 degrees Celsius

12. Source of the Sun’s Energy
E=mc2
Matter can be converted to energy & vice versa
Fusion Reactions: Hydrogen that doesn’t become Helium becomes Energy
5 Billion years of fuel left in the sun
Core is only place on sun where temp, density & pressure are all great enough to sustain nuclear fusion.

13. C. The Sun’s Atmosphere
3 Regions
Photosphere
Chromosphere
Corona

14. 1. Photosphere Apparent bright yellow surface of the sun
Area of Sunspots
Made of Granules
Granules- the tops of individual columns of gases
Gases rise from region below the photosphere

15. 2. Chromosphere Above Photosphere Lower part of the outer atmosphere
Seen only during a solar eclipse
Colored Red by glowing Hydrogen
Radiates mostly X-rays & UV
Area of prominences

16. 3. Corona Above Chromosphere
So sparse in gas it would be considered a vacuum on Earth (low density)
Seen during a total solar eclipse as a faint, pearly light

17. D. Solar Features
Sunspots- Dark, cooler areas on the photosphere that occur in cycles
Dark center called an umbra
Lighter rim called penumbra
Occur in pairs of opposite magnetic charge, like a bar magnet
Appear to move from left to right across the photosphere

18. Filaments
Filaments are large regions of very dense, cool gas, held in place by magnetic fields
Found above the Chromosphere

19. 2. Solar Prominences
Huge loops of gas that connect different parts of sunspot regions
A filament seen on edge. It appears brighter when seen this way.

20. 3. Solar Flares
Sudden eruption of heated hydrogen & energy around the area of a sunspot (a prominence that has exploded)
Directly correlated to sunspot # (#of sunspots ,# of solar flares)
Source of Solar wind bursts

21. 4. Solar Wind
Constant stream of electrically charged particles coming from the corona
Given off in all directions

22. 5. Coronal Holes Great tears in the Corona
May extend halfway around the sun
Do not close for several months
Source of solar winds

23. 6. Auroras Northern Lights = Aurora Borealis
Particles of solar winds interacting with Earth's Magnetic Field & upper atmosphere
Mostly occur in Earth's polar regions

24. 7. Magnetic Storms
When particles thrown out by coronal holes & solar flares are added to the constant solar winds
Auroras may be seen at middle latitudes
Compasses may read incorrectly
Cellular & cordless telephone reception may be interrupted
May interfere with radio frequencies

25. Sun Spots to Auroras

26. II. Observing the Solar System
Solar System includes:     1. 8 Planets     2. Many Natural Satellites (moons)     3. Asteroids, Meteoroids, Comets

27. Solar System Cont’
All of the planets travel in elliptical orbits (paths around the sun)
5 planets can be seen without a telescope
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Meteors can also be seen