NOVA: SUN LAB-http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/labs/lab/sun/
Name ____________________________ Hour _______
A. The nine brief videos in these first three sections cover the basic science of
the Sun and solar storms.
SUN 101
Video #1 of 3: Anatomy of the Sun. Play the video or expand [+] and read the narrative, then
answer the following questions. Also, type something in the box on the screen to move on. Then “Next”
1. What observations of the Sun’s outermost layers reveal what’s happening in the interior?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What two layers are used to predict solar storms in the future?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Video #2 of 3: The Sun’s Energy. Play the video or expand [+] and read the narrative, then answer the following questions.
Also, type something in the box on the screen to move on. Then “Next”
3. Which two complementary forces keep the sun from blowing up? _____________________ ________________
Video #3 of 3: The Dynamic Sun. Play the video or expand [+] and read the narrative, then answer the following questions.
Also, type something in the box on the screen to move on. Then “Next”
4. What forces cause the Sun’s magnetic field to become both stronger and more tangled?
____________________________________________ and ___________________________________________
5. How do these changes influence solar activity and the potential for powerful solar storms?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
SPACE WEATHER
Video #1 of 3: Solar Wind and Storms. Play the video or expand [+] and read the narrative, then
answer the following questions. Also, type something in the box on the screen to move on. Then “Next”
6. How is “space weather” similar to or different from “normal” weather here on Earth?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
7. What causes big solar storms? ________________________________________________________________
What are the two main types? ____________________________ and __________________________________
Video #2 of 3: Earth’s Magnetic Shield. Play the video or expand [+] and read the narrative, then answer the following questions.
Also, type something in the box on the screen to move on. Then “Next”
8. What’s the most vital function of Earth’s magnetic field? __________________________________________
Video #3 of 3: The Threat to Earth. Play the video or expand [+] and read the narrative, then answer the following questions .
Also, type something in the box on the screen to move on. Then “Next”
9. Why are humans more vulnerable to exceptionally big solar storms than we were in 1859?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
10. What do you think would happen if an equally big storm, or pairs of storms, hit the Earth today?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
TECHNOLOGY AND DISCOVERY
Video #1 of 3: The Electromagnetic Spectrum. Play the video or expand [+] and read the narrative, then
answer the following questions. Also, type something in the box on the screen to move on. Then “Next”
11. Every second, the Sun emits light energy across different parts of the spectrum, from low-energy
________________ & ________________, to high-energy __________________ & _________________ rays
Video #2 of 3: Solar Space Telescopes. Play the video or expand [+] and read the narrative, then answer the following questions.
Also, type something in the box on the screen to move on. Then “Next”
12.
Which telescope mission deals with dozens of telescopes? SOHO, STEREO, or SDO ? (circle one)
13.
Which mission is best known for giving us an understanding of space weather? SOHO, STEREO, or SDO ?
14.
Which mission gives us images of the sun that are 10 times better than HDTV? SOHO, STEREO, or SDO
Video #3 of 3: How Can I study the Sun?. Play the video or expand [+] and read the narrative, then answer the following questions .
Also, type something in the box on the screen to move on. Then “Next”
15. What two things do you need to use a helioviewer? _____________________and ________________________
16. What would a helioviewer enable you to do? ______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
B. Research Challenge. It’s time to conduct a real investigation. Use these guides to better understand solar
cycles and the telltale signs of future solar storms. (# 17-19)
SOLAR CYCLES
17. Practice estimate: R = 10 x ____ groups + ____ spots = _____ Actual amount____
Your estimate
18. The real thing. Slide 1/5:
Actual amount
R = 10 x ______ groups + ______ spots = ________ Dec 2010 _____________
The real thing. Slide 2/5:
R = 10 x ______ groups + ______ spots = ________ Mar 2011 _____________
The real thing. Slide 3/5:
R = 10 x ______ groups + ______ spots = ________ Jul 2011
_____________
The real thing. Slide 4/5:
R = 10 x ______ groups + ______ spots = ________ Oct 2011
_____________
The real thing. Slide 5/5:
R = 10 x ______ groups + ______ spots = ________ Jan 2012
_____________
19. Based on the overall trend, when do you think the next solar maximum will be?
____________
Storm Prediction
20. No two sunspots are exactly alike. The differences between them can be classified based on characteristics such
as size, complexity, and motion. More importantly, these characteristics can be used to predict a sunspot region's
future behavior. Select the scenarios to see what active regions on the Sun can tell us about their potential to
produce solar storms. Record your votes in the lab and circle what you chose below.
Huge Spots: Vote A or B
Complicated Spots: Vote A or B
Mixed-up Magnetic Fields: Vote A or B
Threatening Filaments: Vote A or B
How many were you right on out of the five selections?
_______ / 5
Rapid Growth: Vote A or B