The Sun

Lab by Christine Girtain with Images and data by Phil Goode of Big Bear Solar Observatory

Introduction: The Sun is the closest star to Earth. It is also the brightest star in our sky. Use the links below to find specific information about our Sun and the effects it has on our Earth. (Printer friendly Lab Worksheet)

Part 1 Tools Used to Study the Sun

1. What was the first U.S. mission that explored the sun?   (include the date and where it is now)
http://www.solarviews.com/eng/craft2.htm#sun

2. What are three safe methods used to study the sun?
     a. __________________________
List specifics including how this instrument rates in size in the world. ____________________________________
|____________________________________________
This instrument projects a large image of the sun into a dark room. Right click on the bottom right hand image of the instrument, hit copy and paste it in the space provided on your lab sheet. http://www.noao.edu/kpno/40th/mcpierce.html 
     b.  ________________________
This instrument is use to determine the chemical composition, mass, temperature & internal pressure of the sun.

     c. Satellites- http://www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/satellite
Use the blue navigation arrows for the site above to answer the following questions on satellites.   .

1. What are 3 things a satellites orbit depends on?
2. List the 4 main types of orbits and describe each one.
3. What is the  of the month? What will it be used for?
4. Complete the chart below by reading .

5. What does geosychronous mean? What is a synonym for geosychronous?
6. What advantages do polar orbiting satellites have over geosynchronous satellites?
7. How high is a geosychronous orbit? A polar orbit? (Hint Low Earth Orbit)

Part 2 Solar Features

Go to http://www.lmsal.com/YPOP/homepage.html And read the Introduction to the Yohkoh Movie Theatre than take the Solar Tour

1. What type of telescope is on the Yohkoh Satellite? What is it designed to study?
2. What does Yohkoh mean in English?
3. Name the 3 countries that are partners in Yohkoh.
4. What are the 3 main layers of the sun that scientist can easily see? View the movie or Java Image map of the Sun.
5. Click on the link for the first layer. The Sun's apparent bright yellow surface is called the _______. 
6. Why can't scientists see the Sun's core?

7. What solar surface feature is shown by the black spots on the Sun's surface shown above?
8. Define granules. (item formed from granulation) Include a description of where the light and dark areas are.
9. Go to http://www.lmsal.com/YPOP/Spotlight/SunInfo/Sunspots.html for more information on solar surface features. Why do sunspots appear dark?
10. The very dark inner part of a sunspot is called _________ . The lighter region around this darker area is called ______. 
11. How long can sunspots last?
12. What is the solar cycle and how many years does it reach the solar maximum?
13. Return to the Solar Tour page. If you have closed out the link click this one. http://www.lmsal.com/YPOP/Spotlight/Tour/tour04.html. Read about the second layer of the sun. What is this layer called? From what Greek word is it derived?
14. What color does this layer appear?
15. Explain filaments & prominences. Click 628halph_new.mpg to see a video of a prominence.
16. Continue on the Solar Tour. The outermost layer of the Sun is the Corona. What does Corona mean?
17.  View this video showing the Corona 1108c2.mpg. The Corona contains such a relatively small amount of gas that it is considered a vacuum. Notice the Corona can only be seen if the surface of the sun is covered up. This has been done artificially in the video clip. When do you think the Corona is naturally visible from Earth? Click here for help. http://www.eclipse.org.uk/Gallery/gallery.htm