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Our Star Is Born
Activities
- The diameter of the Sun is 1,392,000 km; that of the Earth is 12,760 km. Calculate how many times greater the Sun's diameter is than the Earth's. Find the volume of both the Sun and the Earth. How many times greater is the Sun's volume than the Earth's?
- Investigate at least three ways in which the Sun directly affects the Earth.
- A spectroscope is an instrument which is used by astronomers to examine the Sun's spectrum. What information can be deduced by using such instrument?
- The gas helium was identified in the spectrum of the Sun before it had been found on Earth. Find out what other elements have been identified in the Sun's spectrum.
- What visible features occur on the Sun's surface?
- Between 1645 and 1715 there were virtually no sunspots visible on the Sun. The corona may have been absent, and displays of the Aurora were also lacking. The period is known as the 'Little Ice Age' because its climate was significantly cooler. Find out what other effects were noted during this period.
- How can we tell that the Sun rotates? What is peculiar about its rotation?
- What region of the Sun can we see only during a total eclipse? How hot is this region? Why can it not be seen every day?
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