22.1to22.4 Flashcard: The Sun

Front

What are Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)?

Back

CMEs are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the sun's corona, often associated with solar flares.

Front

What can CMEs trigger on Earth?

Back

CMEs can trigger colorful auroras, which are natural light displays in the sky, primarily seen in high-latitude regions.

Front

What is a solar system?

Back

A solar system is a star and its planets, along with other celestial bodies like moons, asteroids, and comets.

Front

What is a galaxy?

Back

A galaxy is a collection of millions to trillions of stars, along with gas and dust, bound together by gravity.

Front

How old is our sun?

Back

Our sun is about 4.5 billion years old.

Front

Is our sun considered average-sized?

Back

True, our sun is average-sized, average temperature, and middle-aged compared to other stars.

Front

What is the primary source of energy for the sun?

Back

The primary source of energy for the sun is nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing energy.

Front

What is the sun's core?

Back

The sun's core is the innermost layer where nuclear fusion occurs, producing the sun's energy.

Front

What is the sun's atmosphere composed of?

Back

The sun's atmosphere consists of several layers, including the photosphere, chromosphere, and corona.

Front

What is the photosphere?

Back

The photosphere is the visible surface of the sun, from which light is emitted.