1. The Sun

2. Our sun is a Star like all the other stars in the sky

3. Our Sun is an average star

4. Compared to Earth the Sun is Huge

5. Life Cycle of Stars

6. Energy All stars get their energy from nuclear fusion
Fusion combines atoms of lighter elements into heavier elements
Plasma is the fourth state of matter and is a result of the great heat and pressure
This intense pressure tears atoms of hydrogen and helium apart

7. Albert Einstein E = mc² E = Energy M = Mass
C = speed of light (186,000 mps)

9. The Sun’s Layers

10. Photosphere – the visible surface of the sun
Chromosphere – the inner layer of the sun’s atmosphere. It extends thousands of kilometers

13. Sunspots Dark spots on the Photosphere
They move from left to right across the sun
The number changes from day to day
This shows the Sun rotates on its axis
The rate of rotation varies
At the equator it is approx 25 days
At the poles it is approx 34 days

15. Solar Wind
Solar Wind – a constant stream of electrically charged particles from the corona
They are mostly protons & electrons
They travel at 450 kps
They reach the Earth in a few days
The Earth’s magnetic field shields the Earth from the Solar Wind

16. Solar Events
Coronal Holes – a hole in the corona giving off huge amount of solar wind
Solar Flares – outbursts of light from sunspots giving off large amounts of solar wind
The Earth’s Magnetic Field protects the Earth from this solar wind

17. Solar Prominences

18. Auroras
Auroras are caused as the solar wind passes through the Earth’s magnetic field at the poles
Magnetic Storms occur when the particles from coronal holes and solar flares are added to the constant solar wind
This may interrupt cell phones, radio, TV, etc.

24. The Dark Side of the Sun