The Sun- Chapter 2

The Sun

Facts About Sun Distance from the Earth Diameter of the Sun million miles 864,950 miles AgeMass 5 Billion Years 1.99 million, trillion, trillion tons Surface Temperature Core Temperature 10,900 degrees F. 97 Million degrees F. Composition 90% Hydrogen, most of rest is helium.

Sun’s Color The Sun Is Really White The Sun Is Really White Although the sun appears yellow when seen from Earth, it’s actually white! We see the sunlight after it has been filtered through the Earth’s atmosphere. The air scatters that blue component, making the sky appear blue and the sunlight yellow. Although the sun appears yellow when seen from Earth, it’s actually white! We see the sunlight after it has been filtered through the Earth’s atmosphere. The air scatters that blue component, making the sky appear blue and the sunlight yellow.

Sun/ Earth Comparison You could fit the diameter of 1,000,000 earth’s inside the sun. You could fit the diameter of 1,000,000 earth’s inside the sun.

Sun’s Layers

Layers of the Sun

Corona Layer Outermost layer of sun’s atmosphere Outermost layer of sun’s atmosphere Gas particles up to 1,700,000 degrees C. Gas particles up to 1,700,000 degrees C. Gas particles spread far apart Gas particles spread far apart Barely cause a spacecraft to heat up. Barely cause a spacecraft to heat up.

Corona and Earth Holes in the corona attribute to the temperature on earth. Holes in the corona attribute to the temperature on earth. Drop in atmospheric temperature as sun’s magnetic activity is most intense. Drop in atmospheric temperature as sun’s magnetic activity is most intense.

Chromosphere Layer

Chromosphere

Photosphere Layer 1). Photosphere 2). Chromosphere 3). Corona 1). Photosphere 2). Chromosphere 3). Corona

Photosphere

Chromosphere LayerChromosphere LayerChromosphere LayerChromosphere Layer Corona-top Corona-top Chromosphere-bottom Chromosphere-bottom Chromosphere- Beneath Corona. Middle layer. Chromosphere- Beneath Corona. Middle layer. Several 1,000 km. thick Several 1,000 km. thick Gases can suddenly flare up and stream as far as 16,000 km in space. Gases can suddenly flare up and stream as far as 16,000 km in space. Avg. temp- 27,800 degrees C. Avg. temp- 27,800 degrees C.

Photosphere Innermost layer Innermost layer 550 km. thick 550 km. thick Often referred to as “surface of sun” Often referred to as “surface of sun” Temp don’t usually exceed 6,000 degrees C. Temp don’t usually exceed 6,000 degrees C. Venus and sun’s photosphere Venus and sun’s photosphere

Core Layer

The Core Temperatures begin to rise again in the core. Temperatures begin to rise again in the core. Up to 15,000,000 degrees C. Up to 15,000,000 degrees C. Hydrogen atoms are fused into helium atoms, releasing sun’s energy as heat and light. Hydrogen atoms are fused into helium atoms, releasing sun’s energy as heat and light.

Active Sun

Prominence Violent Storms Violent Storms

Prominence- Violent Storm

Prominence Violent Storm with loops of gas Violent Storm with loops of gas Twisted loops originate in chromosphere Twisted loops originate in chromosphere Gases bend backward and shower gases back onto sun Gases bend backward and shower gases back onto sun Storms can grow to size of sun and then disappear a few hours later. Storms can grow to size of sun and then disappear a few hours later.

Solar Flares Another kind of storm with bright bursts of light on sun’s surface. Another kind of storm with bright bursts of light on sun’s surface.

Solar Flares Doesn’t last more than an hour. Doesn’t last more than an hour. During flare temperature can be twice the temperature of the sun’s surface During flare temperature can be twice the temperature of the sun’s surface Huge amounts of energy released into space. Huge amounts of energy released into space.

Solar Wind The sun flings out solar wind particles in much the same manner as a garden sprinkler throws out water droplets. The sun flings out solar wind particles in much the same manner as a garden sprinkler throws out water droplets.

Solar Wind Continuous streak of high-energy particles released into space in all directions from sun’s corona. Continuous streak of high-energy particles released into space in all directions from sun’s corona. Solar flares increase wind speed and strength Solar flares increase wind speed and strength Increase can interfere with radio signals and telephone communications on earth Increase can interfere with radio signals and telephone communications on earth

Sunspots Dark areas on sun’s surface. Dark areas on sun’s surface.

Sunspots Appear darker because they’re cooler than the rest of sun’s surface. Appear darker because they’re cooler than the rest of sun’s surface. Number appearing is always changing Number appearing is always changing Indication that gases spin or rotate Indication that gases spin or rotate

Axis Imaginary vertical line through center of the sun. Imaginary vertical line through center of the sun.