The Sun Our Star

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The Sun - Our Star
Why study it? A nearby star
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The Atmosphere
Photosphere - surface of the Sun The layer we
see Temperature 6000 K (10,000 F) Granules -
bumps on surface Caused by convection Darker
areas cooler than lighter
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movie
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Solar Spectrum
Absorption Spectrum - Why?
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Other Atmosphere Layers
Chromosphere - above the photosphere 10,000 K
and rising Pinkish
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Corona - no, its not what you think. Outermost
layer 1 to 2 million K Very stretched out,
diffuse Solar Winds - particles from Sun, aurorae
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Sunspots
Cooler than photosphere Weeks or months gt Earth
in size
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Umbra
Penumbra
Sunspots found in groups Solar rotation
visible Differential rotation - equator goes
faster than poles
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Number of Sunspots Observed 11 years between
maximum/minimum numbers Location of spots varies
during the cycle Initially far from equator,
later closer to equator
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Magnetic Nature of Spots Sunspot polarity (North
pole/South pole) same for 11 years in each
hemisphere Polarity switches during next cycle
Movie
Actual sunspot cycle is 22 years! Whats the deal
with sunspots?
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Eruptions
Flares and Prominences - Eruptions from the
Surface of the Sun (Flares are larger)
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Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) - the Biggest
eruptions
What if one of these heads towards us?????
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One aurora movie Another aurora movie and another
aurora movie
Aurorae!!!
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