the sun
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The Sun. Our Nearest Star. The Source of the Sun’s Energy. Isotopes of hydrogen. Fusion of light elements into heavier elements. Hydrogen converts to helium - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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The SunThe SunOur Nearest StarOur Nearest Star
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The Source of the Sun’s EnergyThe Source of the Sun’s Energy
• Fusion of light elements into heavier elements.• Hydrogen converts to helium
– Four hydrogen nuclei (each with a mass of about 4.030 mass units) join to form a helium nucleus with a mass of only about 4.003 energy units.
Isotopes of hydrogen
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• The mass that seems to have been lost is converted into energy which is radiated into space.
• Estimates indicate that about 4 million metric tons of matter are converted into energy every second but because the Sun is so massive, this process can continue for another five billion years!
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The Sun’s Structure• Photosphere
– Visible Surface– Currents at top form
granules• Chromosphere
– Inner layer of atmosphere
Corona – Thin outer atmosphere
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Prominences
• Huge, red, flame-like arches of material that occur in the corona.
• Appear like flames but the light is caused by changes in the cooler, denser parts of the corona.
• Prominences may last for hours and can extend millions of kilometers about the photosphere
Huge curtains of gas >100,000 km long - Relatively cool
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Sunspots
• Dark spots on photosphere
• Strong magnetic field– 1000 x stronger than
surrounding region• Cooler than
surrounding photosphere
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Sunspots
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SunspotsSunspotsUmbra
Penumbra
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Solar FlaresSolar Flares• Occur near sunspots• Particles ejected from
the sun
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Solar FlaresSolar Flares
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Space WeatherSpace Weather• Space weather happens with a
solar storm from the Sun travels through space and impacts the Earth’s magnetosphere.
• Solar storms can affect the advanced technology we have become so dependent upon in our everyday lives.
Energy and radiation from solar flares and coronal mass ejections can:• Harm astronauts in space
• Damage sensitive electronics on orbiting spacecraft• Cause colorful auroras, often seen in the higher latitudes• Create blackouts on Earth when they cause surges in power grids.
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Protection from Earth’s Magnetic FieldProtection from Earth’s Magnetic Field
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Solar WindSolar Wind
• Stream of charged particles emitted from the Sun’s outer atmosphere.– Mostly protons and
electrons• Hydrogen atom
• Escape due to high kinetic energy and high temperature of the corona
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Solar StormSolar Storm• High levels of radiation occur due to:
– Solar Flares: Sudden, powerful bursts of magnetic energy that has built up in the Sun's atmosphere.
• They are associated with sunspots • Energy released is equivalent to 10’s of millions of
hydrogen bombs.– Coronal Mass Ejections: Explosions in which
billions of charged particles are blasted into space at high speed.
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Geomagnetic StormGeomagnetic Storm
• A temporary disturbance of the Earth's magnetosphere
• Associated with solar coronal mass ejections, coronal holes, or solar flare– Caused by a solar wind shock wave which
typically strikes the Earth's magnetic field 24 to 36 hours after the event.
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Radio BlackoutsRadio Blackouts
• Solar events– High energy electromagnetic radiation (e.g., x-
rays– Ions
• Affects the ionosphere– Impacts radio communications– Satellites