Is There Life Out There? Our Solar System (and

beyond)

• Draw a picture of what you think life would look like on

another planet, if it existed. • Describe why you drew that

image.

Liquid water Habitable Zone What can effect HZ?

Star – size and temperature

Distance from star Size of planet Structure of planet

Presence of atmosphere

Other source of heat

What is needed for life to exist?

http://phl.upr.edu/library/notes/summarylimitsofthenewhabitablezone

How did it form? Basic facts

99.8% of mass 100x diameter of

Earth 5,527oC 92.1% H, 7.8%

He Plasma Sun today

Our Sun

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/524990main_FAQ10_full.jpg

Core Dense Hydrogen fusion

Radiative (radiation) zone Uses radiation Energy moves slowly

Convection zone Uses convection Materials rise and sink due to density Moves more quickly

Inner Solar Structure

Photosphere Visible surface

Chromosphere Red High speed gas

Corona Hot Outermost layer Seen during an eclipse

Outer Solar Structure

Sunspots Dark Cold

Solar flares High energy Explosive

Prominence Loops/arches

Surface Feature Basics

http://www.space.com/11506-space-weather-sunspots-solar-flares-coronal-mass-ejections.html

http://spacefellowship.com/news/art21967/the-strange-case-of-solar-flares-and-radioactive-elements.html

http://oneminuteastronomer.com/1018/sunspots/

1. Video Write down your observations Why did that happen?

2. Correct solar structure worksheet3. What is needed for life as we know it?4. Describe 3 things that would effect

where life could be found in a solar system.

Daily Review #1

Sunspot Lab

What is a magnetic field? What causes a magnetic

field? On the Sun?

Effect of rotation Different rotation rates Magnetic field lines get

wound up Eventually snap

Causes a solar flare Solar prominences

Follow magnetic field lines into space

Sun’s Magnetic Field

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57597396/

Solar Quiz – Get out a computer and log on to your account

Daily Review #2

Cooler than nearby areas Appear in pairs Intense magnetic field

Lines go out and in Predictable cycle

11-years Minimums

Last = 2008 Low # of prominences, flares and sunspots Cooler climate on Earth

Next maximum = 2013

Sunspots

Hot, high speed, plasma streams Corona expanding

Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) Massive eruption Rearrangement of magnetic field

lines One hit on 10/15/13

Effects on Earth Disrupt magnetic field shape Danger to astronauts Damage electronics Aurora

Solar Wind

http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/browse/2013/10/14/index.shtml

Borealis or Australis Interaction of

particles and magnetic field Particles drawn to

poles Colors

Elements Altitude

Constantly changing

Video

Aurora

http://www.public.iastate.edu/~sdk/fick2003/october.html

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/09/pictures/110930-northern-lights-aurora-borealis-bright-colors/#/space163-aurora-borealis-from-space_41077_600x450.jpg

Astronomical unit (AU) Average distance from Sun to Earth

1 AU= 9.3 x 107mi = 1.5 x 108km Calculate the AU distance

between the Earth and the Moon, 0.38 million km

Distances within our Solar System

Origin of the Solar SystemOur Solar System formed from a giant, swirling cloud of gas & dust.

Depends on two principles of Physics: •Newton’s Law of Gravity- gravitational

potential energy ! heat •Conservation of angular momentum -

rotational motion is conserved

Nebular Theory

Nebula Inner edges

Heavier elements Hotter Rocky planets

Outer edges Cooler Lighter elements Gas planets

Nebula planetesimals protoplanets

Forming the Solar System

http://lifeng.lamost.org/courses/astrotoday/CHAISSON/AT315/HTML/AT31502.HTM

http://www.seasky.org/solar-system/solar-system.html

Asteroid belt Smaller bodies Irregularly shaped Orbit, but may wobble Effected by Jupiter May leave and collide with

planets Evidence for formation from

one nebula Nearly circular orbits Orbit in same direction Orbits in same plane Planets rotate in same direction

(mostly)

Formation – cont.

http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/solarsys/revolution.html