10.3 The Solar Atmosphere Flashcards
(16 cards)
Corona temperature
2,000,000K
Chromosphere temperature
4,000-100,000K
Solar atmosphere in order of density (most dense to least dense)
-Chromosphere
-Corona
Solar atmosphere in order of location (furthest to core to nearest)
-Corona
-Chromosphere
Solar wind
The high-velocity, constant flow of charged protons and electrons from the sun
-Come from coronal holes
-Can escape the gravity of the sun because of how much energy they have
Name the effects of solar wind
-Aurorae
-Cometary tails
-Geomagnetic storms
-Negative effects on satellites, aircraft travel and manned missions
How are aurorae created
When solar wind particles get caught in Van Allen Belts, they move along these field lines until they can move donwnwards (at the poles) into the atmosphere where they create displays of light by ionising atmospheric gases.
Cometary tails
The solar wind particles interact with the comet and produce a gas tail
Which way does the gas tail of a comet point
Away from the sun
Geomagnetic storm
A disturbance in the Earth’s magnetosphere, caused by strong solar wind
Effects of solar wind on satellites
-Solar wind can heat the atmosphere, affecting satellites orbits
-Can disturb GPS and navigation systems
Effects of solar wind on aircraft
-Radio signals disturbed
-At high altitudes, crew may be exposed to radiation
Effects of solar wind on manned missions
Can cause radiation poisoning for astronauts
Shape of the magnetosphere
Cigar shaped, extends towards the sun, but much further in the other direction.
What does the magnetosphere do
Deflect solar wind
Van Allen Belts
Two belts of the magnetosphere which capture solar wind
