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characteristic 1 392 000 km 1.989 1034 kg 1 485 kg m-3 5 500-6 000 oC Composed of about 70% hydrogen, 28% helium, and other elements such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon and iron which amount to less than 2%
Characteristic compared to Earth 109 times the diameter of Earth 333 420 times the mass of Earth 0.27 times the density of Earth 227-273 times the temperature on Earth The Earths atmosphere contains oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, inert gases and water vapour
Chromospheres
layer above the visible photosphere this layer is about 10 000 km thick glows red because hydrogen gives off a reddish colour at this high temperature only visible during the total eclipse
Photosphere Innermost atmosphere layer of dense gases Photospheres surface appears turbulence because gas from the Suns core
is release to its surface
This layer is responsible for radiating heat and light from the Sun
Suns core
Consist of hydrogen and helium gases Nuclear reaction occurs in the core all the time to generate to release heat and light energy The core temperature is extremely high. It is about 15 million degree Celsius
Prominences
Immense clouds of glowing gases that erupt from the upper chromosphere The loop or arches of gases may shoot as high as 100 000 km from the Sun Can from two to three months Visible during solar eclipses
Solar flares
the result of violent energy explosions in complex sunspot group release gases and charged particles far into space its temperature can reach up to 5 million degree Celsius emit electrons, visible light, and radiation it make the night sky above the Earths poles appear colourful. This known as an aurora
Sunspots
dark regions which are visible on the photosphere appear dark because they are much cooler than their brighter surroundings. Usually appear in groups and are of different sizes
Communication system
the Earths atmosphere plays an important role in reflecting radio sigals in communication solar wind affects radio communication as it causes radio signals to fluctuate
power generation
the charged particles interfere with Earths magnetic field and induce surges in the electric current along power transmission lines this overloads the power grids and causes blackouts over large areas
global climate
sunspots bring about changes in temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure, which affect the weather conditions on Earth wind, land and sea breezes are affected by sunspot
formation of aurorae
aurorae are bands of coloured lights visible in the night sky, especially at the polar regions of the Earth fluctuations in the solar wind can cause them to be visible at lower altitudes
Definition of a star
celestial body that released its own heat and light made of dust and gases like hydrogen and helium They generate energy through nuclear reactions
Class O B A F G K M
Surface temperature (oC) More than 25 000 11 000 25 000 7 500 11 000 6 000 7 500 5 000 - 6 000 3 500 5 000 Less than 3 500
Size
Neutron star > white dwarf > the Sun > giant star > supergiant star
dwarf 10
Giant 10 - 100
supergiant >100
Name of star Sirius Canopus Alpha Centauri Arcturus Vega Capella Rigel Procyon Archernar Beta Centauri
Formation of stars
Cloud of swirling gas and dust > gas and dust collect at the centres of whirlpools > collection of gas and dust: a star is formed
Nebulae- huge cloud of gases (mainly hydrogen and helium) and dust (is a result of pull of gravity between particles) A star is formed when the nebulae is pulled inward toward the core until it become compact. As the nebulae collapse, it starts to spin The gravitational force increase and this cause the materials between the nebula to condense. As a result, the temperature and pressure of the gases and the dust particles at the centre increase
When the temperature reaches 15 000 oC, nuclear fusion takes place at the core of the nebula Hydrogen atoms fuse together to form helium atoms, releasing a large amount of heat and light energy The ball gas starts to shine and a new star is born
Death of stars
The lifespan of a star depends on its size A star with a small mass has a longer lifespan when compared to a star with big mass Small star may finally die after more than 10 billion years Super large star may not survive more than 100 million years Once the hydrogen fuel is used up and nuclear fusion is completed, the core of the star start to shrink. The star is said to be dying A star will become either a white dwarf, a neutron star, and a black hole when it dies
galaxies
group of million or billions of stars held together by gravity there are million galaxies scattered at random throughout the Universe each galaxies has its own shape, size and luminosity, and contain different bodies galaxies can be classified according to their shapes there are three basic type of galaxies elliptical galaxies spiral galaxies irregular galaxies
characteristic of; elliptical galaxies has a flattened oblong shape some are almost spherical while others are very elongated there is little gas or dust in this galaxies very few new stars are formed in this galaxies consist mostly of old stars its core is bright but its edges are dim
spiral galaxies it are disc-shaped with arm spiraling outwards it is among the brightest galaxies in the Universe the young, hot stars, dust and gases are concentrated in the spiral arm the percentage of young stars is high contain a lot of dust and gases
irregular galaxies do not have specific shape size can change among the smallest galaxies contain a lot of dust and gases. Also consist mostly of new star and nebula
Elliptical
Spiral
irregular
the Universe
consist of matter, energy and space everything you can see around you it is unimaginably huge there are over 100 billion galaxies in the whole universe galaxies which have been spotted are located up to 10 000 million light years apart the actual size of the Universe may be many times bigger