Unit 12 - The Sun and Other Stars |
Big Idea: Exterritorial energy and materials influence Earth's systems and the position and motion of the Earth within an evolving solar system, galaxy, and universe.
Learning Targets:
- I can identify patterns in solar activities (sunspot cycles, solar flares, solar wind).
- I can relate events on the Sun to phenomena such as auroras, disruption of radio and satellite communications, and power grid disturbances.
- I can describe how nuclear fusion produces energy in the Sun.
- I can describe how nuclear fusion and other processes in stars have led to the formation of all t he other chemical elements.
- I can explain how the Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram can be used to deduce other parameters (distance).
- I can explain how you can infer the temperature, life span, and mass of a star from its color. Use the H-R diagram to explain the life cycles of stars.
- I can explain how the balance between fusion and gravity controls the evolution of a star (equilibrium).
- I can compare the evolution paths of low, moderate and high mass stars using the H-R diagram.
What is a Star? Part 2NASA: The Sun Song |
Massive Solar Storms |
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The Universe, Season 1
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The Elements: Forged in StarsFusion, which occurs when atomic nuclei combine to form new elements, is extremely powerful. All the stars in the universe, including the Sun, are nuclear furnaces fueled by fusion. Through fusion, stars are responsible for forming all the naturally occurring elements heavier than hydrogen and helium -- before stellar nucleosynthesis, only the lightest elements existed in the universe. This video segment adapted from NOVA illustrates the critical role that stars play in creating the elements.
E5.2D - I can describe how nuclear fusion and other processes in stars have led to the formation of all the other chemical elements. |
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Life of a StarTLC Elementary School: The Moon and Beyond Discovery Education, 2004 . Full Video.
Discovery Education. Web. 10 January 2013. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>. |