The Sun

Front

What is the main sequence in the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram?

Back

The main sequence is a diagonal band on the HR Diagram that includes 85% of all stars, including the sun, characterized by a wide range of temperatures and brightness.

Front

What does the HR diagram indicate about Star A?

Back

Star A is the brightest star in the HR diagram.

Front

What is nuclear fusion?

Back

Nuclear fusion is the process where hydrogen atoms are squeezed together to form helium atoms, releasing energy.

Front

What process creates energy in the sun?

Back

The energy from the sun is created by nuclear fusion.

Front

What is a sunspot?

Back

A sunspot is a dark spot on the photosphere of the sun.

Front

What is the significance of the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram?

Back

The HR Diagram is a scatter plot of stars showing the relationship between their absolute magnitudes or luminosities versus their stellar classifications or effective temperatures.

Front

What are solar flares?

Back

Solar flares are sudden eruptions of energy on the sun's surface that can release a significant amount of radiation.

Front

What is the corona of the sun?

Back

The corona is the outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere, visible during a total solar eclipse, and is much hotter than the surface.

Front

How does temperature affect a star's color?

Back

A star's color is determined by its temperature; hotter stars appear blue or white, while cooler stars appear red.

Front

What is the relationship between a star's mass and its lifespan?

Back

Generally, more massive stars have shorter lifespans because they burn their fuel more quickly than less massive stars.