Is There Life Out There? Our Solar System (and
beyond)• Draw a picture of what you
think life would look like on another planet, if it existed.
• Describe why you drew that image.
Liquid water Habitable Zone What can effect HZ?
Star – size and temperature
Distance from star Size of planet Structure of planet
Presence of atmosphere
Other source of heat
What is needed for life to exist?
http://phl.upr.edu/library/notes/summarylimitsofthenewhabitablezone
How did it form?Basic facts
99.8% of mass 100x diameter of
Earth 5,527oC 92.1% H, 7.8%
He Plasma Sun today
Our Sun
http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/524990main_FAQ10_full.jpg
Core Dense Hydrogen fusion
Radiative (radiation) zone Uses radiation Energy moves slowly
Convection zone Uses convection Materials rise and sink due to density Moves more quickly
Inner Solar Structure
Photosphere Visible surface
Chromosphere Red High speed gas
Corona Hot Outermost layer Seen during an eclipse
Outer Solar Structure
Sunspots Dark Cold
Solar flares High energy Explosive
Prominence Loops/arches
Surface Feature Basics
http://www.space.com/11506-space-weather-sunspots-solar-flares-coronal-mass-ejections.html
http://spacefellowship.com/news/art21967/the-strange-case-of-solar-flares-and-radioactive-elements.html
http://oneminuteastronomer.com/1018/sunspots/
1. Video Write down your observations Why did that happen?
2. Correct solar structure worksheet3. What is needed for life as we know it?4. Describe 3 things that would effect
where life could be found in a solar system.
Daily Review #1
Sunspot Lab
What is a magnetic field? What causes a magnetic
field? On the Sun?
Effect of rotation Different rotation rates Magnetic field lines get
wound up Eventually snap
Causes a solar flare Solar prominences
Follow magnetic field lines into space
Sun’s Magnetic Field
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57597396/
Solar Quiz – Get out a computer and log on to your account
Daily Review #2
Cooler than nearby areas Appear in pairs Intense magnetic field
Lines go out and in Predictable cycle
11-years Minimums
Last = 2008 Low # of prominences, flares and sunspots Cooler climate on Earth
Next maximum = 2013
Sunspots
Hot, high speed, plasma streams Corona expanding
Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) Massive eruption Rearrangement of magnetic field
lines One hit on 10/15/13
Effects on Earth Disrupt magnetic field shape Danger to astronauts Damage electronics Aurora
Solar Wind
http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/browse/2013/10/14/index.shtml
Borealis or Australis Interaction of
particles and magnetic field Particles drawn to
poles Colors
Elements Altitude
Constantly changing
Video
Aurora
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~sdk/fick2003/october.html
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/09/pictures/110930-northern-lights-aurora-borealis-bright-colors/#/space163-aurora-borealis-from-space_41077_600x450.jpg
Astronomical unit (AU) Average distance from Sun to Earth
1 AU= 9.3 x 107mi = 1.5 x 108km Calculate the AU distance
between the Earth and the Moon, 0.38 million km
Distances within our Solar System
Origin of the Solar SystemOur Solar System formed from a giant, swirling cloud of gas & dust.
Depends on two principles of Physics: •Newton’s Law of Gravity- gravitational
potential energy ! heat •Conservation of angular momentum -
rotational motion is conserved
Nebular Theory
Nebula Inner edges
Heavier elements Hotter Rocky planets
Outer edges Cooler Lighter elements Gas planets
Nebula planetesimals protoplanets
Forming the Solar System
http://lifeng.lamost.org/courses/astrotoday/CHAISSON/AT315/HTML/AT31502.HTM
http://www.seasky.org/solar-system/solar-system.html
Asteroid belt Smaller bodies Irregularly shaped Orbit, but may wobble Effected by Jupiter May leave and collide with
planets Evidence for formation from one
nebula Nearly circular orbits Orbit in same direction Orbits in same plane Planets rotate in same direction
(mostly)
Formation – cont.
http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/solarsys/revolution.html