Cosmic rays and solar flares

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Cosmic rays and solar flares

• Draw in the back of your book the life cycle of a
  star

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Solar flares and Cosmic raysYou should learn

• Cosmic rays are fast-moving ionising particles
  from the Sun.
• The Earths magnetic field prevents them from
  reaching us because they would be very harmful
• Solar flares (bursts of energy from the Sun)
  interfere with these satellite systems.

P2e
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Cosmic rays

• Cosmic rays are not really rays at all, they are
  a stream of particles of ionised atoms.
• They can range from a single proton to the
  nucleus of an iron atom-or larger
• The most common cosmic ray is a alpha particle
  (3protons and 2 neutrons)
• Cosmic rays originate in space and are produced
  form sources such as
• The sun
• Other stars
• Supernova and their remains
• Neutron stars and black holes
• Distant galaxies

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• Cosmic ray particles are travelling at speeds
  close to that of light and they have a lot of
  energy

• The rays interact with the magnetic field of the
  earth, spiralling around the field lines
• Producing a concentration of cosmic rays at the
  north and south poles

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• On certain nights these shifting patterns can be
  seen in the sky.
• They are called Auroras
• These bright lights are caused by cosmic rays
  streaming out from the sun and striking earths
  upper atmosphere
• Energy from these charged particles is converted
  into light and forms visible glows, rays, arcs,
  bands and veils.
• Usually green but can be red or purple

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Cosmic rays

• Cosmic rays are __________ particles from the
  Sun, ______ and ________. The most common type of
  particle is a __________ particle. They interact
  with the Earths __________ field. Energy from
  these charged particles is converted into light
  which can be seen in the _______ _______ and
  _______ ______ called Auroras. These bright
  lights are caused by ________ rays streaming out
  from the sun and striking earths upper___________.

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Solar flares

• A solar flare is a violent explosion above the
  suns surface.
• A large amount of energy is released

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• Solar flares may last for 10 mins and will
  produce more energy than a MILLION hydrogen
  bombs.
• There is a peak in this type of activity ever
  10-11 yrs, during which large numbers of charged
  particles are released at very high speeds
• This results in the production of a magnetic
  field that interacts with the earths magnetic
  field

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• Only a small amount of energy reaches the earth
  from a solar flare, but it is enough to interfere
  with radio and microwave transmissions
• They can also affect electrical power
  distribution in the national grid

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Solar flares

• A solar flare is a ___________ above the suns
  surface. A large amount of _________ is released.
• A solar flare consists of charged particles from
  the ______ that travel at high speed and produce
  strong ________ fields.
• Solar _______ interfere with the operation of
  satellites by interfering with ______________ and
  _______________. They also can cause ____________
  __________.

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