Rice University
Characteristics of the Sun
After reading about how the sun gets its energy, and about the layers and features of the sun's atmosphere, heliologists complete a comprehension worksheet. On it, they label features on a diagram of the sun and match terms from the...
Curated OER
Colors of Stars
Students observe the colors found in the flame of a burning candle and examine the basic concepts of matter and energy. Students apply this information to the color's of starts and the temperature of the stars photosphere. Students...
Curated OER
Astronomy Unit Word List
In this astronomy worksheet, 8th graders are given 29 vocabulary words from their textbook unit and are to define the terms using their book and class notes.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Characteristics of the Sun
This video segment adapted from NASA describes the basic characteristics of our star, the Sun. Includes background reading material and discussion questions. Video length: 1 min. 28 sec.
Nine Planets
The Eight Planets: The Sun Solar Wind
This Eight Planets site briefly describes solar wind, a low density stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun. It also provides the basics on the sun's composition and additional sun links.
Stanford University
The Hidden Picture
What can you see in the sun's granules? This site includes links and further information for teachers on how to teach convection.
Other
Ypop: Using the Computer to Measure Sunspots
This site provides a tutorial on using computer image processing techniques to measure the size of sunspots and analyzing various phenomena visible in solar images. It also provides lesson plans for teachers to use in class.
Nine Planets
The Nine Planets: The Sun Facts
Statistical data, general features, key terms, characteristics, and influences of the sun.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Solar Prominences
A brief explanation of solar prominences.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: The Photosphere: The "Surface" of the Sun
The photosphere is the visible "surface" of the Sun. View pictures and read a description of the photosphere in this article.
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Sunspots
Experiment involves identifying sunspots, temporary phenomena on the Sun's photosphere that appear as spots darker than the surrounding areas.
Other
The Virtual Sun: Surface of the Sun the Photosphere
The Virtual Sun provides a brief overview of the surface of the sun. Content includes a time-lapse movie of the photosphere.
Other
The Virtual Sun: Suface of the Sun the Chromosphere
This page provides a brief overview of the nearly transparent chromosphere of the sun.
Other
The Virtual Sun: The Atmosphere of the Sun
The Virtual Sun is part of a site detailing the Sun, this page provides a brief overview of the corona, or atmosphere, of the sun. Content includes several movies which depict the corona.
Other
The Virtual Sun
This site features a virtual tour of the sun. Expect to learn facts concerning the sun's characteristics, influences, and lifespan with excellent illustrations and multi-media.