Solar Activity & the Earth Astronomy 12

Solar Seismology

The study of the Sun's interior by analyzing waves in its atmosphere.

Plasma

A state of matter consisting of ionized gas with free flowing positive and negative charges.

Doppler Shift

The change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer moving relative to the wave source.

Heliosphere

The region around the Sun influenced by its magnetic field, acting as a shield against cosmic rays.

Sunspot Cycle

An 11-year cycle of varying sunspot activity characterized by periods of maximum and minimum sunspots.

Differential Rotation

The phenomenon where the Sun's surface rotates at different speeds depending on the latitude.

Aurora

Natural light display in the Earth's sky caused by charged particles from the Sun colliding with gases in the atmosphere.

Solar Wind

A stream of charged particles released from the upper atmosphere of the Sun.

Solar Cycle

A cycle related to changes in the Sun's magnetic field, characterized by the north and south poles switching places.

Sunspots

Regions of the photosphere that appear darker because they are cooler than the surrounding areas.

Solar Flares

Sudden and intense bursts of radiation resulting from the twisting and snapping of magnetic field lines on the Sun's surface.

Cosmic Rays

High-energy particles from deep space that are influenced by the Sun's magnetic field.

Granules

Small-scale convective features on the Sun's surface associated with convection currents in the plasma.

Supergranules

Large cells of convection on the Sun's surface that are larger than granules, typically several thousand kilometers across.

Spicules

Narrow jets of gas that erupt in the Sun's corona and are associated with solar activity.

Solar Storms

Meteorological events on the Sun, classified as radio blackouts, proton storms, and geomagnetic storms.

Northern Lights

A natural light display in the Earth's sky, particularly in high-latitude regions, also known as auroras.

Sun's magnetic field

A magnetic field generated by the movement of charged particles in the Sun's convection zone.

Polarity Reversal

The flipping of the Sun's magnetic poles every 11 years as part of the solar cycle.

Sunspot Groups

Clusters of sunspots that occur together in the Sun's photosphere.