THE SUN AND EARTH’S SEASONS

Module 16 Earth and Environmental Science

How hot is the sun?The average temperature of the sun is 5600 degrees K (Kelvin)

1348x1348-nasa.gov

What type of star is our sun?Our sun is a yellow star.

www.publicdomainpictures.net

Gases of the sunOur sun is made up largely of helium and hydrogen.

320x261-cse.ssl.berkley.edu

How does the sun get its energy?Nuclear fusion of helium and hydrogen gives off huge amounts of energy and light.

www.e-education.psu.edu

516x387-snews.bnl.gov

What are the layers of the sun?From the center out:

Core

Photosphere

Chromosphere

Corona

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sun_poster.svg

The layers of the sun are: From the center out:

Core

Photosphere

Chromosphere

Corona

946x710-nasa.gov

The surface layerOf the sun is the photosphere.

NASA

Corona means crown.We can only see the corona of the sun during an eclipse.

516x412-sunearthday.gsfc.nasa.gov

Solar prominenceSolar prominences are arches of glowing gas that extend outward from the sun’s photosphere.

1348x1348-nasa.gov

A sunspot cycle lastsabout 11 years.

1024x768-nasa.gov

The sun’s activities can cause damage on Earth.

Solar activities can:

a. cause auroras

b. disrupt radio communication

c. damage satellites

www.Wikipedia.com

NASA.gov

Seasons on earthAre caused by the sun and the tilt of the earth’s axis

Earth’s path around the sun is

Elliptical.

860x389-spacescience.arc.nasa.gov

The Vernal equinoxThe vernal equinox marks the start of spring.

732x520-solarsystem.nasa.gov

Four seasons: spring, summer, fall, winter

Photosynthesis Plants make their energy through a process called photosynthesis.

www.e-education.psu.edu

614x441-oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov

1000x667-nasa.gov

equation

• 6CO2 + 12H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O

The equation for photosynthesis

614x441-oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov

EnergyAll organisms need energy to survive. Some, like green plants, can make their own food through photosynthesis. Animals, however, must eat to get food for energy. Animals may eat plants, other animals, or both.

Publicdomainpictures.net

www.freeimages.co.uk

The sunHuge, very hot, needed for life to exist on Earth.

422x327-hpde.gsfc.nasa.gov