This PowerPoint discusses the Sun at a high school level. It talks about characteristics, solar activities/events, how energy is created, and many more.

1. Our Star: The Sun Nick Pineo 9-25-11 Astonomy 9-12th grade http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/photos/sun-gallery/#

2. Characteristics Milky Way/Center of Solar System Hydrogen and Helium Life – Middle Aged – 5/10 years

3. Layers Interior Photosphere Chromosphere Corona

4. Photosphere Radiates most of the sunlight we see – “surface” Granules – small, bright markings– about the size of texas.

5. Chromosphere Above photosphere Thin layer of hot gases Viewed as a red rim around sun Spicules – located on top of the chromosphere – flaming structures. (described as trees sticking out)

6. Corona Outer part of sun (atmosphere) Looks like a crown of bright light glowing Solar wind – particles(ionized gases) escaping the corona at high speeds. Ionized referes to the gaining or losing of electrons.

7. Solar Activities Sunspots Prominences Solar Flares

8. Sunspots Dark spots Small (1000 miles) to many times the size of Earth

9. Prominences Cloudlike structures Large amount of gases Looks like a huge flame coming out of the Sun

10. Solar Flares Brief outbursts of energy Brightening of an area of the Sun above the sunspots.

11. Structure of Sun http://whyfiles.org/115sun/3.html

12. Interior Source of energy – nuclear fusion – process to fuse particles together to form heavier particles. Hydrogen – Helium Proton-Proton Chain is created through nuclear fusion. Chain reaction converts 4 hydrogen protons into the nucleus of a helium atom. Some mass is converted to energy.

13. P-P Chain Cont. When hydrogen is converted to helium, this process – Hydrogen burning. The energy that is released from the P-P chain is transmitted through layers of the sun.

14. What Does the Sun do for Earth? Energy – light – Food – life Events – Good/Bad Auroras Solar Eclipses Disruption of Radio/Satellite communications

15. Auroras Effects from strong solar flares – lights up Earth’s atmosphere Northern/Southern lights – North/South Pole Varies in shapes, sizes, and colors Aurora Australis Aurora Borealis http://www.itsnature.org/travel/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/p6133sv.jpg http://geology.com/nasa/aurora-borealis.shtml

16. Solar Eclipse Eclipse of the sun Alignment between Earth-Moon-Sun New Moon Phase – casts dark shadow on Earth http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse

17. Disruption of Radio/Satellite Communications Solar flares – large outburst of particles can reach Earth – affecting radio and satellite communications. Very rare events

18. Summary Sun has 4 major layers Solar activities may include: prominences, sunspots, and solar flares Nuclear fusion and P-P chain Events – auroras, solar eclipses, and disruption in radio or satellite communications due to solar flares

19. References http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Earth_HSCE_168206_7.pdf Twelfth Edition Earth Science, Edward J. Tarbuck and Frederick K. Lutgens