AS101 Lecture 9: the structure of the sun
Document Summary
Intensely hot, gaseous, spherical bodies which produce energy by hydrogen burning. Hydrogen burning is thermonuclear reactions that convert hydrogen to helium. Energy is released by the fusion of hydrogen into helium. Basic structure of a star can be considered as a series of layers, each having its own energy transfer process. The sun is the only star close enough to earth for us to observe its surface features. We know a lot about other stars because they radiate tremendous amounts of energy in all directions in space. Darker, cooler areas on the surface of the sun. Look dark in comparison to hotter, brighter areas around them. Scientists watch sunspots and calculate the way they move/in what direction. Sun rotates faster at the equator, once every 27 days. Sun rotates slower when closer to the poles, once every 31 days. Consists of energetic protons, electrons, ions, and subatomic particles. Continuous flow of charged particles from the sun.
