The Sun is active and can impact technology on Earth via Space Weather.

Auroral beads seen from the International Space Station on Sept. 17, 2011. NASA studies aurora as they are visible markers of space weather processes around Earth. The Sun’s constant outflow of solar wind fills space with a thin wash of particles, fields and plasma. This solar wind, along with other solar events like giant explosions called coronal mass ejections, influences the very nature of space and can interact with the magnetic systems of Earth and other worlds. Such effects also change the radiation environment through which our spacecraft travel. Close to Earth, such space weather can interfere with satellite electronics, communications and GPS signals, and even – when extreme – utility grids on Earth.

Topics: atmosphere, aurora, geomagnetic storm, ionization, magnetic fields, magnetic reconnection, magnetosphere, magnetotail, plasma, radio blackout, solar cycle, solar flare, solar wind, space weather, sunspots, Van Allen belts

NGSS: PS1, PS2, PS4, ESS2, ESS3

Image Credit: NASA

Framework for Heliophysics Education

Big Idea 1.2

An image taken from the International Space Station (ISS) of auroral beads dancing in Earth’s atmosphere, bright green glowing bands of light. The atmosphere can be seen as a thin glowing orange line above Earth. Lower atmosphere clouds can be seen below the aurora. Parts of the ISS can be seen on the top of the image. Solar panels jet out from the top left corner. Above the Earth is space dotted with stars.

Have leaners investigate this heliophysics big idea with the guiding questions below.

  • Sun, 335 angstrom UV

    Introductory Learner (K-5)

    How does the Earth keep us safe from the harmful effects of the Sun (including radiation and space weather)?

  • yellow image of the Sun

    Intermediate Learner (6-8)

    How does space weather impact my daily life?

  • An image of the Sun shows a bright flash in the bottom right side where a solar flare erupts.

    Advanced Learner (9-12+)

    How do scientists predict space weather?

FRAMEWORK FOR HELIOPHYSICS EDUCATION

Heliophysics Resource Database

Use the guiding questions above to explore resources at each level or go directly to our database to search for resources by level, NGSS performance expectation, topic, and mission.

Resource Database
In this animated GIF, a small portion of the Sun appears green. A bright white flash suddenly appears on the edge of the Sun.
On Nov. 4, 2003, this solar flare saturated the X-ray detectors on several Sun-observing spacecraft.
NASA/ESA/SOHO