Background:

The process of fusion liberates energy within the core of the sun. A small part of this energy produces its magnetic field. Variations in the magnetic fields (magnetic fluxes) result in solar events, some of which include sunspots, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and solar tornadoes. This solar activity results in larger than average amounts of radiation (from radio waves to gamma rays) and energetic particles (such as high energy protons and electrons) ejected into space. Just as moving air molecules on Earth constitute a wind, these energetic particles make up the solar wind. This solar wind and solar activity are measured by several spacecraft, including the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE). Some solar events, when interacting with the Earth’s magnetosphere (magnetic field), can create profound effects. These effects may include:

Note to the learner: Ionospheric currents, plasma bubbles, and signal scintillation are not discussed in this lesson, even though they appear in the graphic below.

Effects of space weather

For more in depth background, see Educational Brief on space weather
Also see http://www.sel.noaa.gov/primer/primer.html.

For a more in depth slide show see
http://hpcc-k12.gsfc.nasa.gov/gessep/serverhome/gessep98/aceproject/inv1/slideshow1.html

Other relevant internet links:
Procedure:


Investigation 1

1. After reading the procedure for this investigation, go to the following URL: http://www.astro.lu.se/~henrik/spacew2.html

2. Print out and fill in this flow chart after following the next step.

3. Examine the twelve images and captions. You may click on an image to find out more detailed information if you wish. Prepare to fill in the following flowchart.

4. Review recent solar events at:http://www.nas.edu/ssb/spwpt5nw.html

5. Describe past solar weather events that you have read thus far, by listing and providing a 2 - 3 sentence long description about the effects of these events on Earth:

 
EVENT DATE
DESCRIPTION
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 


 
Coding:
Maryland Core Learning Goals (Science): 3.1.
National Standards (Science): Grades 5-8: A5, B3, D3, E2,F2, F3, F5
. Grades 9-12: B6, D1, E2,F5, F6,
National Standards (Geography): 7-2, 8-2.
National Standards (Mathematics): None


Investigation Discussion and Questions
Questions are included in the procedure above. For extensions, see below.


Extensions:

Read the Education Brief on space weather

Create a fictional weather forecast as if you were a space weather forecaster. Make it for a time period in the future when an event is occurring. Remember that your function is to inform and teach people as well. You may choose to go further and actually do the forecast in front of your classmates - but remember that most forecasts are 3-5 min in length. Feel free to use graphics from the internet, the Ed. Brief, or this exercise. If you did this, I would be happy to hear about your experience with it.

Other Investigations:
Space Weather and You!
Space Weather and You! Introduction 2
Interpreting RealTime ACE Data From Space
The Sun or The Supernova?
ACE RTSW Data and Traditional Physics Problems

Credits:
Pat Keeney GESSEP Program
queen3@access.digex.net

Daniel Hortert GESSEP Program
howard6@access.digex.net

Dr. Eric R. Christian
ACE Deputy Project Scientist
cosmicopia@cosmicra.gsfc.nasa.gov

Dr. John Krizmanic
Astroparticle Physicist
cosmicopia@cosmicra.gsfc.nasa.gov

Beth Barbier
ACE Outreach Specialist
cosmicopia@cosmicra.gsfc.nasa.gov