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Chapter 11
Chapter 11
20
Astronomy
Undergraduate 1
04/08/2013

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Term
Loop-like arched shapes of plasma in the solar atmosphere are
Definition
prominences
Term
The continuous spectrum of the Sun is created in
Definition
the solar photosphere
Term
The solar cycle occurs every
Definition
11 years
Term
The solar corona appears to be so hot because of the heating provided by
Definition
the magnetic field energy driven from the below
Term
Magnetic reconnection is presumably one of the most efficient ways to convert
Definition
magnetic energy into kinetic energy and the heat
Term
The solar activity cycle is characterized by
Definition
a variation in a number of sunspots over the solar surface, a variation of number of flares per unit times formed in the solar atmosphere, a variation of number of coronal mass ejections per unit times formed in the solar atmosphere, and a variation of the magnetic flux at the solar surface
Term
The solar chromosphere produces mostly
Definition
Emission lines
Term
In proton-proton fusion chain four hydrogen nuclei fuse together to form
Definition
one helium nucleus
Term
The Sun is mostly composed of
Definition
hydrogen and helium
Term
The Sun's outermost layers can be viewed directly during
Definition
solar eclipses
Term
Sunspots are characterized by
Definition
lower temperatures than that in surrounding areas, stronger magnetic fields than that in surrounding areas, and darker concentrated areas than the surrounding photosphere
Term
The solar flares represent a process of
Definition
magnetic energy release in the solar atmosphere
Term
Interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetosphere causes
Definition
geomagnetic, Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis
Term
The energy flows from the solar core to the solar photosphere due to
Definition
thermal and radiation
Term
The solar core is about
Definition
15 million Kelvin hot dense plasma
Term
The Solar Dynamic Observatory has recently provided high resolution images of
Definition
the solar corona, the solar photosphere, and the solar chromosphere
Term
Hot (multi-million kelvin) and rarefied solar plasma is
Definition
concentrated in the solar coronal active regions
Term
The solar wind
Definition
is the source of space weather, is made up of charged particles that are heated up so much that they escape the Sun's gravitational field, escapes the Sun along the magnetic field lines, and the source of Northern lights formed in the Earth’s polar regions
Term
To explain cyclic variations in the number and location of sunspots at the photosphere, astronomers developed
Definition
the magnetic dynamo theory
Term
The Sun generates its energy due to
Definition
thermonuclear fusion
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