ASTR 114 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Van Allen Radiation Belt, Zeeman Effect, Solar Wind

• School: Binghamton University
• Department: Astronomy
• Course: ASTR 114
• Professor: Christopher A.Taylor

Document Summary

Sunspots - are cooler than other parts of the sun"s surface/are regions with strong magnetic fields. Zeeman effect - we can measure magnetic fields in sunspots by observing the splitting of spectral lines. The sun rotates faster at the equator than near the poles. Magnetic activity causes solar flares that send bursts of x rays and charged particles into space. Magnetic activity also causes solar prominences that erupt high above the sun"s surface. Coronal mass ejections send bursts of energetic charged particles out through the solar system. The magnetosphere is the region around the earth where charged particles from the solar wind are trapped. These charged particles are trapped in areas called the van allen belts, where they spiral around the magnetic field lines. Near the poles, the van allen belts intersect the atmosphere. Charged particles can escape; when they do, they create glowing light called aurorae.