Information in Radio Waves
Radio Observations of Space Weather: Background
Our daily lives are affected drastically by the
weather. From agriculture to transportation we are
still at the mercy of the basic elements of wind, rain,
and snow. Increasingly, as we conduct more of our
technological operations in the near-earth space
environment, we are not only affected by the
weather in the lower atmosphere. But, we are also
affected by the dynamics of space weather.
In the lower atmosphere, the troposphere and
stratosphere, we can almost consider the solar input
to the system to be relatively constant over time. But
in the upper atmosphere, the Mesosphere and
Ionosphere, variations in the Sun’s output can be
very drastic and can cause geomagnetic storms.
Geomagnetic storms are the source of the
commonly known phenomenon aurora borealis, the northern lights. These storms can also
pose a threat to the thousands of satellites that are operating in earth’s orbit. These satellites
range in usage from telecommunications, scientific observations, military applications, and
global positioning systems. Many of these systems we simply take for granted these days and
we are growing increasingly dependent on them for our work and play.
This increased usage of the near earth environment and its susceptibility to space weather has
sparked a tremendous research effort to understand how outputs from the sun interact with
the earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. In this unit you will explore the nature of the Sun’s
variability, how both particles and radiations are emitted influence the entire solar system. You
will see first-hand the methods researchers are using to monitor and predict the behavior of
that solar output as it interacts with the earth system.
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Information for Radio Communications: Teacher Guide
Enrichment Resources
http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/ - Solar Dynamics Observatory
www.spaceweather.com – Daily updates on current solar observations and events
www.helioviewer.org – Visualization software of solar dynamics and events.
NGSS Performance Expectations
HS-ESS1-1
HS-ESS2-4
Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the life span of the sun and the role of nuclear
fusion in the sun’s core to release energy in the form of radiation.
Use a model to describe how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems
result in changes in climate.
Unit Overview
This Unit may be taught in sequence or as individual lessons to supplement your curriculum. The lessons
move through the basic structure of the earth, atmosphere, and sun. Emphasis is placed on solar active
regions that contribute to the solar wind and near earth space weather. The activities are intended to be
formative and lead to the summative assessment also included in this guide.
Example Unit plan:
Starter and Pretest
Lesson 1: Earth’s structure
Activity: modeling the atmosphere
Lesson 2: Structure of the sun and activity
Activity: Introduction to Helioviewer
Lesson 3: Space weather
Assessment: Investigating a solar storm with helioviewer and Madrigal,
References
Chaisson, Eric, and S. McMillan. Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe. 7th ed. Boston: Pearson,
2013. Print.
"Helioviewer.org." - Solar and Heliospheric Image Visualization Tool. NASA and ESA, Aug. 2013. Web. 08
Aug. 2014. <http://www.helioviewer.org/>.
"List of Radio Stations in New Hampshire." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 08 Jan. 2014. Web. 04
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Aug. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_radio_stations_in_New_Hampshire>.
Shapley, Patricia. "Our Energy Budget." Our Energy Budget. University of Illinois, 2012. Web. 08 Aug.
2014. <http://butane.chem.uiuc.edu/pshapley/GenChem2/C1/1.html>.
http://www.rare-earth-magnets.com/t-magnetism.aspx
Free GNU license agreement http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html
"Parts of the Sun." SOHO-Gallery. Web. 01 Aug. 2014. http://soho.nascom.nasa.gov/gallery/
http://gnss.be/atmosphere_tutorial.php
Hathaway, David H. "Sun Spot Cycles." NASA/Marshall Solar Physics. NASA/Marshall, 4 July 2014.
Web. 04 Aug. 2014. http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/SunspotCycle.shtml
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/EnergyBalance/page4.php
"Climate and Earth’s Energy Budget : Feature Articles." Climate and Earth’s Energy Budget : Feature
Articles. Web. 08 Aug. 2014.
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Radio Observations of Space Weather: Starter Activity
“Tuning in to AM Radio”
Materials
AM Radio receiver
RTL-SDR radio tuner* w/ SDR# software
Part 1: AM reception during the nighttime (Homework)


Students are to record the AM stations that they can tune in after dusk.
o Use a typical car stereo system to tune in to as many AM stations as you can.
From a list of available stations that may be close by find the farthest one that can be tuned in
during the nighttime hours.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_radio_stations_in_New_Hampshire)
Student Log
Station ID
Location
Other information
Part 2: AM reception during the day



As demonstration, collect the stations that students were able to tune in the night before.
Attempt to tune in each of those stations.
Discuss why the daytime and nighttime may be different for the transmission of AM radio
waves.
Reflection: Develop a hypothesis about the cause of the differences between daytime and nighttime
transmission of radio waves.
a. Brainstorm: What materials, processes, or energy transformations are a part of the
system you are testing?
b. Which of these factors would be influenced by the day-night cycle?
c. Hint: HAM operators typically use reflection off of the ionosphere during the nighttime
in order to broadcast and receive signals from great distance (continent to continent
scale).
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Radio Observations of Space Weather: Unit Pre-Assessment
Label the proper parts of both the earth’s atmosphere and the parts of the sun
Sun’s structure
Convective zone
Flare
Chromosphere
Coronal Hole
Core
Radiative zone
Sunspots
Prominence
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Part 2: place the names of the
atmospheric layers in the correct
location in the earth’s
atmosphere
Atmospheric Structure
Stratosphere
Ionosphere
Troposphere
Exosphere
Thermosphere
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Activity: Model of the atmosphere
Create an infographic
In this activity you will have the choice of several presentation types with which to demonstrate your
understanding of atmospheric structure. The criteria listed below represents essential elements to be
included in your infographic.
Deliverable Products may be of the following format:
Traditional paper poster – 11” x 14”
Digital using powerpoint Digital using piktochart - https://magic.piktochart.com/
Research elements to include:
Use your textbook, Wikipedia, or the below recommended resources to find:
1. The names of each layer of the atmosphere including
a. Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere (note, the
ionosphere and thermosphere overlap in elevation)
b. The boundaries between these layers
2. A graph of the temperature change with increasing elevation
a. Units: degrees Celsius
b. From the surface of the earth (mean sea level) to the top of the thermosphere
3. A description of key processes and human activities that take place in each layer
a. May be a text description or pictorial
Content
Communication
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Depth and detail
are demonstrated
by including
references to
composition
differences
between layers,
and energy inputs
or outputs.
Technical detail is
included to provide
more in depth
descriptions of
each component
Illustrations are
made which depict
the human
activities in each
layer that may be
influenced by
space weather
Boundaries are
illustrated with
reference to
temperature
inversions.
2
All content
elements are
included
1
Imagery and color
are used create a
theme that
enhances the
information
Arrangement of
text and graphics
creates a logical
flow for the reader.
Elements are
presented neatly
with few clerical or
formatting errors
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Activity: Introduction to Helioviewer
In our project for this unit you will be required to look at a visualization tool developed by a large group
of solar research institutes from across the globe. You will be required to use the internet and view one
or two tutorials about the main tools of the web site. This can be done at home or even on your phone.
Instructions:
1. Go to http://wiki.helioviewer.org/wiki/Helioviewer.org or google: Helioviewer wiki
2. Under the Users section click on the link for a quick introduction
3. Once you have looked that over refer the users guide for further detail
Product:
In order to demonstrate that you have the basic functions of helioveiwer mastered, create a video of a
coronal mass ejection using the following observing selections under the Images Tab:
You may explore other visualizations with different
observatories, instruments, and detectors. Create the
coolest looking video of your CME as you can then send the
link to the video.
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Radio Observations of Space Weather:
Summative Assessment
Competencies being Assessed:
Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the life span of the sun and the role of nuclear
HS-ESS1-1
fusion in the sun’s core to release energy in the form of radiation.
Use a model to describe how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems
HS-ESS2-4
result in changes in climate.
Scoring Rubric:
4
All criteria from 1-3 plus:
3
All criteria from 1-2 plus:
2
1
All criteria from 1 plus:
Part 1 completed
accurately
Part1: Foundations
Diagram and label the correct parts of the Atmosphere including
elevations above sea level.
Atmospheric Structure
Stratosphere
Ionosphere
Troposphere
Exosphere
Thermosphere
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Label the correct parts of the solar interior and atmosphere
Sun’s structure
photosphere
Convective zone
Flare
Chromosphere
Coronal Hole
Core
Radiative zone
Sunspots
Prominence
Part 2: Applications
1. Describe the effect of the night and day differences in AM radio transmission and what does this
tell us about the ionosphere?
2. What is the primary evidence for fusion in the core of the sun being the primary source of
energy for the sun and consequently us.
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3. What are some surface features of the sun that are associated with :
a. Convection beneath the photosphere
b. Lower surface temperature
c. Broad regional loops in magnetic field lines
d. The projection of material out of the solar atmosphere into the interplanetary solar
wind.
e. When magnetic field lines break and reform again
Part 3: Extensions
Using a model of the energy budget for solar radiation and using your model and the temperature
profile of the atmosphere. Make an argument for the cause and effect relationship between
atmospheric composition and the temperature profile of the atmosphere.
Shapley, 2012
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