Layers of the sun Corona (outermost part of atmosphere) Chromosphere (visible part of sun) Photosphere Core (Source of Suns energy- FUSION) Radiative Zone (where produced energy goes) Convection Zone (movement of energy to the surface)

SUN PRODUCES ENERGY THROUGH FUSION! It its Core…. SUN PRODUCES ENERGY THROUGH FUSION! FUSION = coming together FISSION = splitting

Earths main source of energy comes from the Sun Some energy enters into our atmosphere Most is scattered back out into space (clouds, other layers of atmosphere) In addition to atmospheric layers, Earths magnetic field protects its from electrically charged particles from solar winds and cosmic rays

Benefits of Our SUN! Provides energy for the food cycle Powers the water cycle & drives our oceans Creates weather

CFU! The amount of Sunlight Earth receives because of its tilt results in seasons.. NORTH AMERICA IS IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE, WHEN DO WE EXPERIENCE SUMMER? (when we are tilted TOWARD or AWAY from the Sun)

Too much UV radiation damages our skin ! DANGERS OF OUR SUN Too much UV radiation damages our skin ! Less ozone (gas) layer = more harmful UV radiation Ozone being depleted by natural & human – created causes

SOLAR CYLE: Patterns of high and low activity of the sun that repeat every 11 years SUN SPOTS & SOLAR FLARE Dark spots that tend to be cooler than the surface of the Sun May be as small as Earth or as large as Neptune Forms when magnetic field lines in the Sun twist & poke through photosphere According to scientists: more SS, warmer climate on Earth low or no SS, colder climate "ice ages" A huge amount of solar energy (radiation) that bursts from the Sun that can affect: our satellites (GPS, aviation, govt. time stations, weather stations, etc.) Astronauts Power grids on Earth (minutes to hours) 1989 Canada 1997 traffic telecommunication Corrosion of oil and gas pipelines

Solar wind THE “GOOD” THE BAD Flow of charges particles (plasma) from the Sun Responsible for “space weather” Similar to Earth's winds except that Earth's winds involve air masses and solar winds involve the movement of matter. THE “GOOD” When solar wind encounters Earth’s magnetic field, it excites gases in atmosphere causing them to glow “aurora” Seen in Northern/Southern areas rather than Equator THE BAD Disrupts radio signals & disturbs upper layers of Earths atmosphere

Collecting Data About the SUN solar telescopes that detect solar activity they are equipped with detectors sensitive to radiation and relay the info to scientists YOHKOH SATELLITE SWEDISH SOLAR TELESCOPE