The Sun

• The Sun


  • Does not have a solid core
  • Made up of six layers of gas
• Gigantic


  • Could fit 109 Earths side-by-side across its diameter
  • Could hold a volume of about 1.3 million Earths
• The 6 Layers of the Sun

  • Core
  • Radiation Zone
  • Photosphere
  • Convection Zone
  • Chromosphere
  • Corona

  
• The Core


  • Sun's centre
  • High temperatures and pressures cause atomic nuclei to join through a process called nuclear fusion to release large amounts energy
  • Has a temperature of 15 000 000°C
• Radiative Zone


  • First layer around the core
  • Transports energy over millions of years to the convective zone through radiation

  
• Convective Zone


  • Outermost layer of the interior of the Sun
  • Transports energy quickly to the photosphere zone through convection

  
• Photosphere


  • Opaque layer that separates the Sun's atmosphere from its interior
  • Light and other types of radiation are released
  • Has a temperature of 5000°C

  
• Chromosphere


  • Inner layer of the Sun's atmosphere
  • Temperature rises significantly which causes reddish light to be emitted

  
• Corona


  • Outer layer of the Sun's atmosphere
  • Looks like a gleaming white, halo-like glow
  • Energy is transferred into the solar system in the form of solar wind, which is a consistent stream of high-energy particles

  
• The Sun's Surface


  • Sunspots
  • Solar Flare
  • Solar Prominences

  
• Sunspots


  Dark spots on the Sun's surface that are cooler than surrounding areas
• Solar Flare


  Gases and charged particles expelled above an active sunspot

  
• Solar Prominences


  Low-energy gas eruptions from the Sun's surface that extend thousands of kilometres into space

  
• Greenhouse Effect


  • The atmosphere is the layer of gasses that act as a blanket and regulates Earth's surface temperature
  • The greenhouse effect is how these gases trap the Sun's energy to keep the planet warm
  • Gases that absorb infrared radiation in the atmosphere is a greenhouse gas

  
• Steps to the Greenhouse Effect

  1. Sunlight Radiation

  2. Absorption/Reflection of Sunlight

  3. Re-radiation of Heat

  4. Trapping of Heat
• Auroras


  • Displays of changing colours in the northern or southern hemisphere, caused by solar particles colliding with matter in Earth's upper atmosphere
  • These is caused by strong magnetic field of the North and South Pole

  
• Solar activity at the Sun's surface

  Can affect artificial satellites which disrupts cellphone and satellite TV communications

  
• Particles ejected by the Sun

  Can damage the information stored on computer microchips on satellites

  
• Solar radiation and storms

  Can increase the temperature and density of Earth's upper atmosphere, where satellites orbit. The friction caused by the denser atmosphere slows down the satellites and can alter their orbital path

  
• Scientists constantly monitor satellites and adjust them back into their orbits to prevent them from falling and burning up in the atmosphere