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The Sun - Our Local Star

Chapter Notes

Examples

Exercises

 

 

Learning Objectives

OBJ1.jpg Summarize the overall properties of the Sun.
OBJ2.jpg Outline the process by which energy is produced in the Sun’s interior.
OBJ3.jpg Explain how energy travels from the solar core, through the interior, and out into space.
OBJ4.jpg Name the Sun’s outer layers and describe what those layers tell us about the Sun’s surface composition and temperature.
OBJ5.jpg Discuss the nature of the Sun’s magnetic field and its relationship to the various types of solar activity.
OBJ6.jpg Explain how observations of the Sun’s core challenge our present understanding of fundamental physics.

 

Central Concept

The sun produces its energy by nuclear fusion reactions transforming hydrogen to helium in its core. The outward flow of this energy determines the sun’s physical structure.