AST1120-lab3

.docx

School

Pikes Peak Community College *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

1120

Subject

Astronomy

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

8

Uploaded by MasterAtom12440

Report
AST 1120: Stellar Astronomy Name: Lab 3 (40 points) The Sun & Fusion Learning Goals Describe the Sun’s rotation rate and how it is measured Describe how the Sun maintains hydrostatic equilibrium Describe the steps of the proton-proton chain fusion reaction Explain how energy is produced in the Sun Recall from lab 1: write very large and very small numbers in scientific notation. Keep only 3 significant figures unless told otherwise. Show work on math problems. In addition to the hyperlinks shared throughout, this lab also refers to content in Chapter 15 and Chapter 16 of OpenStax Astronomy. Part 1: Solar Rotation Images in Figure 1 are from the SOHO spacecraft taken in 2002. Blank boxes are days when no data was collected. Safely assume that the Sun still existed on those days. Figure 1 - SOHO data of the Sun from June 13 - June 30, 2002
1. Based on Figure 1, how many total days does it take for sunspot group 5 to move across the Sun’s disc as seen by SOHO? Include days when data was not taken if you can safely assume that sunspot group 5 was still present on that day. 13 days June 17 - June 29 2. Multiply your answer above by 2 to get the total number of days that it takes the Sun to rotate at sunspot group 5’s latitude. Units are days per rotation. 26 days 3. Based on Figure 1, how many total days does it take for sunspot group 1 to move across the Sun’s disc as seen by SOHO? Include days when data was not taken if you can safely assume that sunspot group 1 was still present on that day. 10 days 4. Multiply your answer above by 2 to get the total number of days that it takes the Sun to rotate at sunspot group 1’s latitude. Units are days per rotation. 20 days 5. How many total days does it take for sunspot group 8 to move across the Sun’s disc as seen by SOHO? Include days when data was not taken if you can safely assume that sunspot group 8 was still present on that day. 12 days 6. Multiply your answer above by 2 to get the total number of days that it takes the Sun to rotate at sunspot group 8’s latitude. Units are days per rotation. 24 days 7. Does your data above support differential rotation in the Sun? Use your data to justify your response. 8. Using your answers above determine the average number of days per rotation for the Sun’s rotation. 9. At the Sun’s equator, the known rotation rate is 25 days per rotation. Use your average as data and compare to the known value. % error = | ( ( data−known ) known ) | × 100 = ¿ 2
10.Explain why there is an issue with comparing your data to data from the Sun’s equator. Part 2: Fusion and Hydrostatic Equilibrium in the Sun This Animation describes the steps of the proton proton chain fusion process and this video describes the solar core . These topics are also covered in Chapter 16 . 11.Balance within our sun is called hydrostatic equilibrium. What two forces are working against each other to produce this balance? 12.Why do protons repel each other at low temperatures? 13.What force allows protons to combine at high temperatures? 14.What is the minimum temperature required for fusion to occur in the Sun? 3
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help