Sun Notes Characteristics CLOSEST star to earth CLOSEST star to earth The bright star in the center is Proxima Centauri. CENTER Of our solar system CENTER Of our solar system Characteristics No solid surface No solid surface Characteristics High temperature..27 million F High temperature..27 million FCharacteristics Energy releaser Energy releaser Characteristics It takes 8 1/2 minutes for light to reach earth from the sun. It takes 8 1/2 minutes for light to reach earth from the sun. Characteristics The Structure of the Sun: pg 68 Core Core Radiative zone Radiative zone Convection zone Convection zone Photosphere Photosphere Chromosphere Chromosphere Corona Corona Inner Zone Core center, NUCLEAR FUSION occurs here center, NUCLEAR FUSION occurs here Intense, high temperature; Intense, high temperature; High pressure High pressure Radiative zone energy moves by RADIATING OUTWARD from core to convective zone energy moves by RADIATING OUTWARD from core to convective zone Inner Zone Convective zone energy transferred by CONVECTION energy transferred by CONVECTION warmer gasses RISE warmer gasses RISE cooler gasses SINK cooler gasses SINK Inner Zone Photosphere gives off VISIBLE light Photosphere gives off VISIBLE light Atmosphere Atmosphere Chromosphere high activity of solar flares Chromosphere high activity of solar flares Corona outer most layer; Blends into space outer most layer; Blends into space charged particles that escape corona create GLOWING HALO charged particles that escape corona create GLOWING HALO (only seen during an eclipse) (only seen during an eclipse) Atmosphere Physical Features: Sunspots Occur in PAIRS Occur in PAIRS Dark in color due to COOLER TEMPERATURES Dark in color due to COOLER TEMPERATURES Physical Features: 11 Year cycle (observed by GALILEO) 11 Year cycle (observed by GALILEO) Physical Features: Caused by powerful MAGNETIC FIELDS Caused by powerful MAGNETIC FIELDS Physical Features: Solar Flares Violent EXPULSIONS of gas Violent EXPULSIONS of gas Occur when sunspots move CLOSE together Occur when sunspots move CLOSE together CREATE Solar winds CREATE Solar winds Physical Features: Solar Winds Solar Winds CHARGED particles ejected from SUN CHARGED particles ejected from SUN Flow from CORE towards edge of solar system Flow from CORE towards edge of solar system Physical Features: Solar Prominences LOOPED ejection of gas LOOPED ejection of gas Occur when sunspots move towards each other, but dont meet Occur when sunspots move towards each other, but dont meet Physical Features: