Resources on the Sun and the Solar System

Solar Maximum
An Electronic Textbook developed by Jacqueline K. Bowman

As we approach Solar Maximum (The period of time during which the number of sunspots visible on the sun increases dramatically) the likelihood of geomagnetic storm affecting the earth increases. These web sites will provide you with information about how our sun works, the solar cycle, and how the sun affects the earth.

General information about the sun from the High Altitude Observatory of the National Center for Atmospheric Research

http://www.hao.ucar.edu/public/education/education.html
This is an excellent introductory site with plenty of information about the sun and particularly the history of solar observation (Check out the link to Historical Information!)

http://www.hao.ucar.edu/public/education/general/general.html
This site has great general information about how the sun works at a fairly high level of detail.

http://www.hao.ucar.edu/public/education/sp/great_moments.html
A great on-line slide show which describes the history of solar physics.

As the sun approaches solar maximum the likelihood of solar flares and CME's (Coronal Mass Ejections) increases. Good sites for finding out what's going on with the sun are:

http://www.spaceweather.com
This site is packed with all sorts of information about space weather predictions including solar flare and geomagnetic storm forecasts. This site also provides meterorite data.

http://umbra.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/latest.html
Find the latest images of the sun produced by the various satellites. If you are just interested in the latest images this is the fastest site to use.

http://www.exploratorium.edu/solarmax/index.html
An Exporatorium site which includes images of the sun, news releases, and educational acitivities. This site will take some time to load.

There are a variety of educational sites available for you to work with as you develop lessons for teaching about this important phenomenon. In examining the Connecticut Science Frameworks two major content areas can be taught using solar max materials, electromagnetic spectrum and magnetism, including the earth's magnetic field.

http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/explore/
This web site contains material related to the SOHO satellite mission. SOHO is designed to study the internal structure of the Sun, its extensive outer atmosphere and the origin of the solar wind, the stream of highly ionized gas that blows continuously outward through the Solar System. The explore site has lesson plans, data available for students, Ask Dr. SOHO, and a glossary.

http://solar-center.stanford.edu/
Another fantastic site which has plenty of activities for your students is The Stanford Solar Center which includes ideas for observing sunspots directly (Never view the sun directly!) Go to activities and then check out "Observing the Sun."

http://www.meadows3.demon.co.uk/index.html
A great site for earth-based solar observations.

http://www.windows.ucar.edu/spaceweather/basic_facts.html
An excellent site for learning more about how the interaction of the sun's and the earth's magnetic fields cause space weather. There are sections on magnetism and damge caused by geomagnetic storms.

If your are interested in learning more about our solar system in general, check out these sites.

http://www.windows.ucar.edu
Window on the Universe-This is an excellent general site which provides information on almost every astronomy topic you can think of.

http://ispec.scibernet.com/
This site has many kid-oriented activities.

Out of this World Links

to the Solar System

By Sara Mae Posocco

Think Space Academic site called ThinkSpace focusing on the solar systems, stars, galaxies, the universe, and astronomers.

Derek's Planet Information This link covers why the planets and other objects of the solar system are given the names that they have.

Exploring the Planets - Cyber-Center This link is great, because it lets you go in, and view images of different planets, and then you have to match them with the actual planet.

NASA Regional Planetary Image Facilities This link is an excellent example of all different types of images from our solar system. The pictures from this are wonderful.

CEPS Planetary Image Facility Not only does this link include valuable information about the planets, it has a lot of information on specific space trips, and different type of equipment used in space.

The Nine Planets This link covers in depth questions about the nine planets. There are various images of all of the planets along with all of their moons.

Building Planets at PSI: The Origin of the Solar System This link gives great visuals along with information on how the solar system was started.

Interactive Solar System This link is great because it lets you examine the orbits of the solar system using a 3-D effect. It's fun to play with to see exactly where the orbits will meet each other.