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The SUN!

The SUN!. Basic Facts . Mass M  = 2x10 30 kg = 300,000M E Radius R  = 7x10 8 m = 7x10 5 km = 111R E Mean Density = Mass/Volume = M/((4/3) R 3 )= 1400 kg/m 3 = 1.4 g/cm 3 Distance = 1.5x10 11 m = 1.5x10 8 km = 8.3 light-minutes

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The SUN!

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  1. The SUN!

  2. Basic Facts • Mass M = 2x1030 kg = 300,000ME • Radius R = 7x108m = 7x105 km = 111RE • Mean Density = Mass/Volume = M/((4/3)R3)= 1400 kg/m3 = 1.4 g/cm3 • Distance = 1.5x1011m = 1.5x108 km = 8.3 light-minutes • Luminosity L = 3.9x1026 W (Solar Constant = 1350 W/m2) • Mean Surface Temperature = Teffective= 5780 K • Composition By Mass By Number • H ~68% ~90% • He ~31% ~10% • “Heavies” ~1% ~1%

  3. The Sun Contains 99.8% of the Mass of the Entire Solar System!

  4. We Rely on the Sun for…

  5. … • Source of energy • Plants-photosynthesis • Creates wind • Water cycle

  6. The Sun’s Atmosphere

  7. Photosphere • All elements are gaseous • Get denser as you move toward the core • Photosphere is the “surface” we can see

  8. Granulation

  9. Chromosphere • Density decreases but temperature increases • Oddity considering the rest of the sun decreases in temperature as you move away from the core

  10. Spicules • Flamelike jets of gas that rise up into the chromosphere

  11. The Corona • Outermost part of the Sun’s atmosphere • Extends millions of miles into space

  12. Reading

  13. Solar Activity

  14. Magnetic Field

  15. Video • http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/01/06/sun-magnetic-field-polarity-reverse/4306845/

  16. Sunspots • What are they? • Regions marked by lower temperatures • Dark spots on the solar surface • Cause • Magnetic field exits one and enters the other • Messes up convection in granules and causes cooling

  17. Structure • Umbra-dark region • Penumbra-lighter surrounding region

  18. History • 1610 Sunspots were first observed by Johannes and Fabricius • 1612 Galileo explained sunspots

  19. How They Are Used • Rotation of the Sun • Weather? • Low sunspot activity • High sunspot activity

  20. Little Ice Age • Low solar activity-few sunspots • 1645-1715 • Frozen rivers and year-round snow in unlikely places

  21. Sunspot Cycles • Cycles every 11 years

  22. Maunder Minimum • Lowest point of solar activity

  23. Prominences • Magnetic field redirects the flow of the gases-out one and in the other

  24. Coronal Mass Ejection • http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr162/lect/sun/comet.mpg • Causes on Earth

  25. Solar Winds • Flow of charged particles away from the sun • Continual • Greater at coronal holes and less at helmet streamers

  26. Fusion • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pusKlK1L5To

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