Main Sequence Stars and Our Sun

These flashcards cover key concepts about main sequence stars and our sun, including their characteristics, lifecycle, solar activity, and structure.

Main Sequence Stars

Stars that are in the phase of hydrogen fusion, making up 90% of all stars.

Solar Activity Cycle

The 11-year cycle during which the sun's magnetic poles flip and solar activity varies.

Star Lifetime

The duration a star can live, determined by its mass; more massive stars burn through fuel faster.

Hydrogen Fusion

The process in which hydrogen is converted into helium, powering main sequence stars.

Solar Luminosity

The total amount of energy emitted by the sun, measured at 3.8 x 10^26 watts.

Sun's Photosphere

The visible surface of the sun, where solar phenomena like granules and sunspots occur.

Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)

Large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the sun's corona that cause geomagnetic storms.

Solar Flares

Sudden eruptions of energy from the sun's surface due to magnetic field interactions.

Differential Rotation

The phenomenon where different parts of the sun rotate at different speeds, affecting its magnetic field.

Sunspot

Cooler, darker spots on the sun's surface, associated with magnetic activity.

Chromosphere

The layer of the sun's atmosphere located just above the photosphere.

Corona

The outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere, visible during a total solar eclipse.

Energy Transport in the Sun

The movement of energy from the core outward through radiation and convection zones.

The Sun's Core

The innermost layer of the sun where nuclear fusion occurs.

Galaxies

Massive systems of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter bound together by gravity, where main sequence stars are typically found.

Mass of the Sun

Approximately 2 x 10^30 kilograms, containing 99.8% of the solar system's mass.