Day 3 Astro Institute

Today began with a CLEA (Contemporary Laboratory Experiences in Astronomy) lab. The purpose of the lab was to study how photons travel from the Sun's core and how they interact with other matter on their way into space. We set parameters for simulations and collected data. CLEA was designed for use in high school and college classes and, while I was able to complete the lab, I didn't thoroughly understand the underlying concepts.

Following the CLEA lab and a break Tom introduced us to solar weather. Some facts gleaned from his lecture:

• the Sun is the source for space weather


• UV from the Sun produces Earth's ozone layer


• charged particles flowing outward from the Sun form solar winds


• CMEs (coronal mass ejections) and solar flares spew fountains of high energy plasma into the solar environment


• CMEs are not as strong as solar flares
  

We watched a video, "NASA Warns of Super Solar Storm," about a predicted solar storm and it's effect on the Earth. We were asked to evaluate the credentials of the scientist, Michio Kaku. A good reminder for us and for our students to critically evaluate information.

The lecture continued to Earth's magnetic field:

• the magnetic field is weakening


• it flips about every 30,000 years
  
• next flip predicted in the next 1,000 years


• it protects us from solar flares


• auroras are photons from solar flares entering along Earth's magnetic lines
  

Tom then put the parts together with the conclusion that the effects of a major solar storm could disrupt communication, take down power grids... A major storm is predicted within the next few years!

A break for lunch was followed by a quick review of metric conversions. We were then split into two groups to make a scale model of the solar system. This was done with each teacher representing a planet and then measuring off the distance between the planets. The activity didn't end there! We then had to send an electromagnetic message (light) from our Sun to our dwarf planet (Pluto) and then back to the Sun demonstrating that it takes time for light to travel. It takes 9 years for the light from the star Sirius to reach the Earth!

Before we returned to the classroom we stopped at the sundial in front of Jordan Hall for a lesson on sundials.

Back inside the classroom we learned about astronomical units followed by radiometers. The vanes of the radiometers reflect (white) or absorb (black) the Sun's photons. This transfer of energy causes the vanes to spin. The stronger the light the faster the radiometer spins.

At the end of the afternoon each teacher was given a set of planet pictures and a radiometer for their classroom. Thanks NDeRC!