The Sun’s effect Flashcards
What are Magnetic fields are created by?
moving charges (electrons) in the sun: convection layer
Solar dynamo
converting kinetic energy into electricity
Differential rotation
rotation rate of the plasma varies with solar latitude
Zeeman effect
split spectral lines because of a magnetic field
Heliosphere
sphere of magnetic influence of our star
Solar cycle
11 year cycle of the sun, can be tracked with sunspots
Solar prominence (filaments)
Sunspots often occur in pairs linked by magnetic field line. Gas of chromosphere becomes trapped along the Closed field lines
Solar Wind
Particles from the Sun can escape the star where magnetic field lines are open (do not connect)
Typical solar wind speeds = 400 km/s (1 million mph)
Coronal holes
are where the solar wind escapes
What is the structure of the Sun’s layers?
Core Radiative zone Convective zone Photosphere Chromosphere Corona
Hydrostatic equilibrium
Gravitate pushing in Sun, And the pressure pushing out is equal. Making it stable (+) + (-) =0
Solar maximum
peak number of sunspots
Solar minimum
lowest number of sunspots
Aurora
Molecules in Earth’s atmosphere are excited by solar wind particles causing them to emit light
Aurora borealis and Aurora australis
Aurora borealis (Northern lights) Aurora australis (Southern lights)
Solar storms bring ______ to Earth’s atmosphere
X-rays, energetic particles, and intense ultraviolet radiation
Whats can happen to the earth atmosphere with the extra energy from Solar storms?
Earth’s ionosphere (part of atmosphere) can also be heated and become inflated.
A heated and become inflated, ionosphere can cause what negative effects?
This causes extra drag on satellites pulling them into lower orbits. Also distorts radio signals sent by spacecraft.
Coronal mass ejection (CME)
CME, particles can travel closer to 750 km/s and carry with them strong magnetic fields
open field lines
Dangers to earth during a solar storm?
ionosphere inflation
Can completely fry the electronics on board some satellites, disable your GPS communications, fry electrical grids and cause widespread blackouts
Higher levels of radiation for astronauts
Suns next phase?
Red Giant, leaving main sequences its in now
Life on earth when the sun is a Red Giant?
No, Will either be burned up or be flung out into space and be an ice ball.
Butterfly diagram
Sunspots shift with the solar cycle. The are concentrated in two latitude bands (N30 and S30) on either side of the equator. The move and increase as they move towards the equator. Creating a butterfly shaped diagram.
Solar flare
The most violent event on the surface of the Sun is a rapid eruption
Why are we interested in tracking the cycle?
better predict “storms” and their consequence on Earth.
