Chapter 1
The nuclear heart of our star
Chapter 2
The chaotic magnetic surface
Chapter 3
Storms that strike the Earth
Chapter 4
The death of our star
YOUR GOAL
Master of Our violent Sun
Ch 1 · The nuclear heart of our star
artiteacher The Sun's Core
Squeezing out the core / Flying through the dark / Landing in your park
artiteacher The convection zone circulates hot plasma upward to the surface in giant boiling bubbles.
artiteacher Photons created in the core take over 100,000 years to struggle through the dense radiative zone.
Fun Fact
Photon travel time: A particle of light takes over 100,000 years to leave the Sun's interior, but only 8 minutes to reach Earth.
Glossary
nuclear fusion (noun)
A nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing vast amounts of energy. This reaction converts 600 million tons of the Sun's hydrogen into helium every second.
A nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing vast amounts of energy. This reaction converts 600 million tons of the Sun's hydrogen into helium every second.
Quiz
Which element does the Sun primarily fuse together to produce its immense energy?
Quiz
How long does it take for a photon to travel through the Sun's dense radiative zone?