1. CHAPTER 24.3 THE SUN

2. Learning Targets 1.Describe the layers of the Sun 2.Describe the surface features of the Sun

3. The Sun 1.99.8% of all matter in the solar system 2.Average star 3.Fourth State of Matter – Plasma : Made up of superheated gas with an electrical charge  Hydrogen to Helium

4. Solar Layers 1.The sun has no surface a)Layers and zones can be detected but there are no clear lines b)Like fire

7. Internal Structure of the Sun 1.Core a)27,000,000°C b)Nuclear fusion releases energy 2.Radiative zone a)Photons release energy moves away from the core 3.Convection zone a)Hot particles rise and cooler particles sink i.Convection helps to create solar flares and sunspots

9. The Outer Layers 1.Photosphere a)Layer that we see b)Radiates visible light 2.Chromosphere a)Glows red & heated by photosphere 3.Corona a)Outermost plasma layer b)Hottest layer c)Only visible when photosphere is blocked

12. Surface Features 1.Sunspots - Loops of magnetic energy make the Sun cooler in places a)Occur in 11-year cycles b)Form solar flares when the loops break 2.Solar flares release energy and particles a)Solar wind b)Produces aurora in Earth’s thermosphere 3.Solar prominence: plasma flows along the loop from sunspot to sunspot