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Characteristics of the Sun by Raphael Lucas

3. STILL IMAGEVisible light images from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory highlight the appearance of the Sun at solar minimum (left, Dec. 2019) versus solar maximum (right, July 2014). During solar minimum, the Sun is often spotless. Sunspots are associated with solar activity, and are used to track solar cycle progress. Credit: NASA
Images from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory highlight the appearance of the Sun at solar minimum versus solar maximum. Sunspots are associated with solar activity and are used to track the solar cycle.
Levels
  • Intermediate (6-8)
Material Type
  • Activity/Hands-on
  • Lesson Plan
Heliophysics Big Ideas
  • Big Idea 3.2 – Energy from the Sun is created in the core…
NGSS
  • ESS1 - Earth's Place in the Universe
Heliophysics Topics
  • Corona
  • Heliosphere
  • Sun
Heliophysics Missions
  • Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
  • Parker Solar Probe
Material Cost per Learner Free
Language English

In this 5E middle school lesson, students construct a 3D Model that shows the characteristics of the Sun and describe them, describe how plasma creates magnetic fields on the Sun, and predict how the Sun affects the Solar System.

Click the following link to view the resource: https://outreach.gi.alaska.edu/nasa-heliophysics/heliophysics/characteristics-sun-raphael-lucas