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Chapter 29-2

Chapter 29-2. Solar Activity. Solar Activity. Gases in constant motion (rising and sinking) Sun rotates on axis. Not a solid Ball of hot gases Close to equator – 25.3 Earth days to rotate once Poles – 33 days Average – 27 days. Sunspots.

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Chapter 29-2

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  1. Chapter 29-2 Solar Activity

  2. Solar Activity • Gases in constant motion (rising and sinking) • Sun rotates on axis

  3. Not a solid • Ball of hot gases • Close to equator – 25.3 Earth days to rotate once • Poles – 33 days • Average – 27 days

  4. Sunspots • Gases in convection zone + Sun’s rotation = Magnetic Field • Cause convection currents to slow in areas • Cooler areas

  5. Sunspots • Shine bright but less than surrounding areas • Appear darker • Located in Photosphere

  6. Granulation – grainy appearance of Photosphere

  7. Sunspot Cycle • Observation of sunspots show Sun’s rotation • 11 year cycle • Start with few • Increases to 100 • Then start to diminish

  8. Solar Ejections • Caused by change in magnetic field • Sun atomic particles • Prominences • Solar flares • Coronal mass ejections

  9. Prominences • Clouds of glowing gases • Arch above surface • Follow curve of magnetic forces • Lasts hours to weeks

  10. Solar Flares • Most violent • Outward eruption of charged particles • Release of energy from sunspots • Thousands of meters

  11. Coronal Mass Ejection • Parts of the corona that are thrown off the sun • Particles can strike Earth’s magnetosphere • Cause geomagnetic storms

  12. Interfere with radio communication • Damage satellites • Blackouts

  13. Auroras • Interaction between solar winds and Earth’s magnetic field • Bands of light

  14. Charged particles from sun hit atoms of gas in upper atmosphere • Produce sheets of light

  15. Northern Lights – Aurora Borealis

  16. Southern Lights – Aurora Australis

  17. 100 – 1,000 km above surface • Visible in US – 4 to 5 times a year • Alaska – much more frequent • Seen from space • Jupiter and Saturn

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