Download - Sun
Sun
6th Grade Science
Composition
• 99.8% of all the mass of solar system• Chemicals
~ 91% Hydrogen~ 9% Helium
Layers
• Interior– Core• Nuclear Fusion (H → He)• 15 million °C• Extreme Pressure
– Radiation Zone• 100,000 years to pass energy through
– Convection Zone• Hot rises / cool falls
Layers
• Outer– Photosphere• Gives off light
– Chromosphere• Thin middle layer• Redish glow
– Corona• White layer only visible during eclipse• Becomes solar wind
Features• Sunspots– Areas of gas as large as Earth– Cooler than other areas– 11 Year cycles
• Prominences– Eruptions near sunspots
• Solar Flares– Rapid release of gas (millions of °C)
• Solar Wind– Particles from sun that cause electrical problems
Formation
• Nebula begins to condense/spin• Sun turns on• Planetesimal = Asteriod bodies• Inner Planets = By collisions– Gases consumed by sun so rock left
• Outer planets– Remaining gases scooped up