Tracking High-Energy Protons from Coronal Mass Ejections Activity
| Levels |
|
|---|---|
| Material Type |
|
| Heliophysics Big Ideas |
|
| NGSS |
|
| Heliophysics Topics |
|
| Heliophysics Missions |
|
| Material Cost per Learner | Free |
| Language | English |
In this guided inquiry activity, students apply kinematics and dynamics to analyze coronal mass ejection particle acceleration using authentic NASA data. Students examine coronagraph images from NASA's SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) and proton flux graphs from GOES satellites to determine when particles were accelerated by interplanetary shock waves from a CME event. Through this investigation, students discover that CME shock waves accelerated protons near the Sun, combining real space weather data with physics principles. This resource is designed to supplement university-level mechanics courses at introductory or advanced levels.