The Sun

What type of star is the Sun

A yellow dwarf

What are all 6 of the Suns layers (inward to outward)

Core

Radiative Zone

Connective Zone

Photosphere

Chromosphere

Corona

Solar Cycle

An 11 year period of the Suns activity. In its most active period the sun spots grow much more.

Heliosphere

The atmosphere of the Sun that covers our solar system. Solar wind can happen in here.

Magnetosphere

Acts like a shield and protects planets from the Suns charged particles.

Where are we in the Milky Way

In the partial arm called the Orion Spur

What is an ellipse

When a celestial object orbits around the Sun, it speeds up when it’s closer and slows down when it’s further.

What is the average time for the Suns full rotation

27 days

What are sunspots

Temporary dark and cooler regions on the suns surface from intense magnetic activity.

What is Solar Prominence

A large bright loop of plasma that extends from the Suns surface into the outer atmosphere

What are Solar Flares

An intense burst of radiation that erupts from the Suns surface by the release of magnetic energy

What is a Coronal Mass Ejection

A large explosion of plasma and magnetic field from the corona that is shot to space

What is Solar Wind

A stream of protons and electrons from the corona

What is an Aurora Borealis

When charged particles from the Sun collide with atmospheric gases making things like the Northern lights.

What happens during a solar maximum

The Sun is most active in its 11 year cycle. More sunspots, coronal ejections, solar flares and solar winds.