Download The Sun: Our Star

The Sun: Our Star
By: Tracy Sikes
Mount Bethel Elementary- 4th gr.
What is our sun?
• Our sun is a star located in the center of
our Solar System.
• It is a huge, spinning ball of hot gas.
• Our sun is a
medium-size
star.
(Mid-sequence)
Roles of the Sun
The sun plays important roles, or does
important things for us here on Earth.
•
It is a major source of energy.
•
It helps plants to grow.
•
It creates winds.
•
It is part of the water cycle.
•
Provides us with heat & light.
Energy from the Sun
•
Did you know that at the sun’s
core, or center, nuclear fusion makes
enormous amounts of energy?
• Each second the sun converts about
600,000,000 tons of hydrogen into helium.
• When the hydrogen and helium combine,
reactions change the atoms into energy and
release it as heat and light into our solar
system
Energy from the Sun
• Energy from the sun is
called solar energy. Solar
energy is the solar
radiation that reaches the
earth.
• The sun has produced
energy for billions of
years. This type of energy
from the sun can be
changed into other forms
such as, heat and
electricity.
• Once it is changed, the
energy can heat water,
buildings, and make
electricity.
• We must remember, not
all the light, heat, and
energy comes to us.
Most goes back to space
and some scatters around
earth.
Solar Energy
• Some people use solar cells or
solar panels to collect the sun’s
light, heat, and energy to warm
their homes, swimming pools,
and/or water.
• Even now cars are running by
solar energy.
The Sun and Plants
• The sun helps keep plants warm.
• It also helps them to carry out
photosynthesis.
• Photosynthesis is the
process in which plants
change sunlight, water, and
carbon dioxide into food
energy, oxygen, and water.
Sun Spots
•
•
•
•
•
•
Temporary
Intense magnetic activity
Reduced surface temperature
Leaves the area as a dark spot
Large ones can be seen without a telescope
Found on the photosphere
Solar Flares
• A sudden brightening over the
sun’s surface.
• A large energy release.
• Flare ejects clouds of electrons,
ions, and atoms into space.
• Clouds reach Earth a day or two
after the event.
• Strongly influence local space weather.
Sun’s Position
• Each day the sun appears to move in the sky.
• It only seems to move as Earth rotates on its
axis.