Features of the sun
Photosphere - the layer of the Sun that emits light and is the most visible part of the Sun's atmosphere
Corona - appears as a white halo, the outer ring of the Sun only visible during a total Solar Eclipse (because the photosphere is blocked)
Sun spots - darker, cooler spots of gas on the sun, they are not as bright and appear as dark spots on the photosphere
Prominence - huge, looping eruptions that occur near sunspots and usually connect sunspots, they will stay inside the Sun's outermost layers
Solar Flare - massive, violent explosions of hot gas that occur when prominences connect, they travel out into the solar system releasing tremendous amounts of energy.
Solar Wind - electrically charged particles sent out from the Corona, most of these particles are deflected by Earth's magnetic field, but close to the poles they interact with gases that cause them to glow. This interaction is called the "Northern Lights" or "Auroras".
THE SUN'S EFFECTS ON EARTH
The Sun creates heat and light through nuclear fusion - changing Hydrogen into Helium.
The Earth has a magnetic field that protects it from major Solar Activity. The amount of electrically charged particles in Solar Wind is increased by solar flares and prominences.
These electrically charged particles can create Magnetic Storms on Earth that disrupt radio, telephone, and television signals.
Corona - appears as a white halo, the outer ring of the Sun only visible during a total Solar Eclipse (because the photosphere is blocked)
Sun spots - darker, cooler spots of gas on the sun, they are not as bright and appear as dark spots on the photosphere
Prominence - huge, looping eruptions that occur near sunspots and usually connect sunspots, they will stay inside the Sun's outermost layers
Solar Flare - massive, violent explosions of hot gas that occur when prominences connect, they travel out into the solar system releasing tremendous amounts of energy.
Solar Wind - electrically charged particles sent out from the Corona, most of these particles are deflected by Earth's magnetic field, but close to the poles they interact with gases that cause them to glow. This interaction is called the "Northern Lights" or "Auroras".
THE SUN'S EFFECTS ON EARTH
The Sun creates heat and light through nuclear fusion - changing Hydrogen into Helium.
The Earth has a magnetic field that protects it from major Solar Activity. The amount of electrically charged particles in Solar Wind is increased by solar flares and prominences.
These electrically charged particles can create Magnetic Storms on Earth that disrupt radio, telephone, and television signals.