Earthly life owes its origin to the celestial body. No wonder the worship of the Sun and its presentation as a great heavenly god was reflected in the cults of the primitive peoples that inhabited the Earth.
Centuries and millennia have passed, but its importance in human life has only increased. We are all children of the sun.
What is the sun?
A star from the Milky Way Galaxy, with its geometric shape, representing a huge, hot, gaseous ball, constantly emitting streams of energy. The only source of light and heat in our star-planetary system. Now the Sun is at the age of a yellow dwarf, according to the generally accepted classification of the types of luminaries of the universe.
Characteristics of the Sun
The sun has the following parameters:
- Age –4.57 billion years;
- Distance to Earth: 149.6 million km
- Mass: 332 982 Earth masses (1.9891 · 10³⁰ kg);
- The average density is 1.41 g / cm³ (it increases 100 times from the periphery to the center);
- The orbital velocity of the Sun is 217 km / s;
- Rotational speed: 1,997 km / s
- Radius: 695-696 thousand km;
- Temperature: from 5,778 K on the surface to 15,700,000 K in the core;
- Crown temperature: ~ 1,500,000 K;
- The sun is stable in its brightness, it is in 15% of the brightest stars in our galaxy. It emits less ultraviolet rays, but has a larger mass compared to similar stars.
What does the sun consist of?
In terms of its chemical composition, our star is no different from other stars and contains: 74.5% - hydrogen (by mass), 24.6% - helium, less than 1% - other substances (nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, nickel, iron, silicon, chromium, magnesium and other substances). Inside the nucleus, there are continuous nuclear reactions that turn hydrogen into helium. The vast majority of the mass of the solar system - 99.87% belongs to the sun.
Interesting fact: The sun has an almost perfect spherical shape. The difference in diameters connecting the opposite points of the equator and the poles is 10 kilometers. And this is with its gigantic size!
Sun structure
At the very center of our star’s body is the core. It occupies a quarter of the radius of the Sun. It is here that thermonuclear reactions “rage”, generating visible radiation to us. Due to its huge size, the density of matter inside the luminary is huge - 150 times the density of water.
Next is the radiative transfer zone, along which photons randomly move. It is amazing that on average they reach the next layer in 170 thousand years.
The convective zone is the outer region of the Sun, where the movement of the plasma occurs due to the phenomenon of convection (warm rises up and cools, cold goes down to heat). Between these two areas is a thin layer called "tachocline" - the area where the magnetic field appears.
The solar atmosphere is three-layered: chromosphere, transition, corona. A surface visible to the eye with a depth of several hundred kilometers is called the photosphere.
Surface
The temperature of the photosphere ranges from 8000 K at a depth of 300 km to 4000 K in the uppermost layers. The rotation speed of its constituent gas is uneven. 24 days at the equator and 30 at the poles. The red color of the chromosphere can be distinguished only during a total solar eclipse.
Sun spots, torches and pellets
The solar surface in terms of luminosity is heterogeneous and has less bright areas, called sunspots. The duration of existence, which varies from a few days to several weeks. It should be noted that there are spots that exceed the diameter of the Earth.
Interesting fact: Sunspots are areas of super-powerful flares that have the greatest impact on our planet.
In addition, on the surface of the Sun are located:
- Torches - areas of increased brightness, - "siblings" of sunspots, often preceding or following their occurrence;
- Granules measuring about a thousand kilometers, covering the entire photosphere and distinguishable by the ordinary eye;
- Super granules with dimensions of 35,000 km, also completely enveloping the entire surface of the body. But they manifest themselves only with the help of physical effects.
Inside the sun
According to the Hans Bethe hypothesis, reactions of the conversion of hydrogen to helium with a large release of thermal energy are constantly happening inside the Sun. A kind of - acting 5 billion years, a hydrogen bomb. With a margin for the same period.
Three years ago, scientists from Durham University from the UK put forward the hypothesis of absorption of dark matter by our luminary. Allegedly, it serves as a carrier of energy inside the Sun. The answer to the question can be obtained by conducting research on the basis of the largest accelerator - the hadron collider. To do this, you must have at least a particle of dark matter.
Sunny wind
This is the movement of ionized particles directed from the Sun towards going beyond our system. The reason for the occurrence of such an interesting phenomenon is the difference in the forces of gravity and pressure of the upper layers of the solar corona, which is not able to keep the flow of nuclear plasma within our star (there is a stellar wind of other celestial bodies). Its speed can reach up to 1200 km / s, and streams permeate all outer space.
Interesting fact: Most of the cosmic bodies in the solar system revolve around the sun in one plane (ecliptic) and one direction. Moreover, it coincides with the direction of rotation of the star itself.
The pioneer of this phenomenon was the American astrophysicist Eugene Parker. But long before him, a number of scientists made assumptions about the emission of charged particles from the surface of the body. In particular, Ludwig Birmann from Germany made a very curious observation of the tails of comets. It turns out that they are always directed away from the sun. So, they experience some kind of physical impact.
With the beginning of the space age, Parker's hypothesis has been confirmed. Measurements of solar wind flows from stations: "Luna-1", "Mariner-2" were carried out. Even a 4-satellite experiment was organized to measure the strength of the shock wave (collision of the solar wind with the magnetosphere of the planet). In the process, it was possible to obtain unique scientific data with high measurement accuracy.
Why is the sun shining?
Many philosophers and scientists have tried to answer this seemingly simple question. The ancient Greek astronomer Anaxagoras, for his theory of a red-hot metal ball, managed to go to jail. Clarity came with the beginning of the 20th century and the discovery of the phenomenon of radioactivity, and then the possibility of a controlled nuclear and thermonuclear reaction.
It was these discoveries that lifted the veil of secrecy of the origin of the most common natural phenomenon. The British scientists Ernest Rutherford and Arthur Eddington were the first to suggest the occurrence of fusion reactions in the depths of our luminary.
Due to this, the hydrogen of the Sun is gradually turning into helium, releasing streams of photons, which we observe as light.
Interesting fact: the color of our luminary is pure white, due to the passage of layers of the earth's atmosphere we see it: yellow, red, orange.
Solar eclipse
An event such as an eclipse of the Sun always caused a gamut of feelings among ignorant people, accompanied by horror and panic. There were also those who wished to "warm their hands on this" and earn the authority of foretellers and clairvoyants. But not only thinking creatures, but also animals react to the appearance of darkness. However, for the most part, perceiving it as nightfall.
The scientific explanation for the phenomenon is simple: the moon covers the sun.This happens only during the new moon (the approximate location of all three celestial objects on one line, and even then not always). Types of solar eclipses from the position of the earth observer:
- "Private" - the satellite partially closes the luminary.
- “Full” - the solar disk is completely closed.
- “Ring-shaped” - the cone of the cast shadow does not reach the earth's surface.
- “Full ring-shaped” or “hybrid” - two observers at different points simultaneously see one of the types of solar eclipses.
Observation of this phenomenon made it possible to make a number of important discoveries and consider the corona and atmosphere of the Sun. Which under normal conditions is extremely difficult. By the way, the sight itself does not pamper earthlings with the frequency of its appearance. The frequency of occurrence of the event is: 237 times in a century.
How did the sun come about?
There are different theories of the origin of the sun. The most popular of them claims that the star formed from a gas and dust cloud that arose as a result of a supernova. As evidence, an argument is given for the presence of a large amount of uranium and gold in the central body of our star system.
Interesting fact:the radius of the Sun is 2100 times smaller than the radius of the UY Shield, the largest open star in the Universe.
Another hypothesis traces a long chain of transformations: a comet from the periphery of the Galaxy -> ice planet -> giant planet -> infrared dwarf -> yellow dwarf. Accumulating mass, the Sun, under the influence of gravitational forces, brought the density of the nucleus to the launch of thermonuclear reactions, and the possibility of retaining the atmosphere. Moreover, the attraction of a huge ball made it possible not to let go of even light gases: hydrogen and helium. True, from the surface of the star, they still disappear into outer space.
There are several stars - analogues of the Sun in the constellations: Gemini, Scorpio, Hounds Dogs, Feed, Dragon. Their luminosity, temperature, mass, density and approximate age coincide with our luminary.
Interesting fact: the prospects for the evolution of the Sun are such that one day it will burn and absorb the Earth (the red giant), and then it will itself take its size (white dwarf).
Sun Life Cycle
Apparently, the Sun owes its appearance to the protostars of previous generations, since it contains a significant amount of metals. Its age is 4.5 -4.75 billion years, and all this time it increases its brightness and temperature (flares up).
Interesting fact: The magnetic field of our star has a cycle of change approximately equal to 22 Earth years. Which is equal to two periods of solar activity of 11 years.
Such a physical process cannot proceed without loss of mass of hydrogen, which is the main element in the composition of the star. Someday this will end, the hydrogen will burn and evaporate, and the helium will begin to compress. The dimensions of the luminary will increase until reaching the limits of the Earth’s orbit. The sun will become a red giant and will be in such a state for presumably 120 million years. Then a nebula will arise due to a significant decrease in mass and a giant expansion of the outer layer. From a red giant, it will turn into a white dwarf, which will turn black after a few trillion years.
The location of the sun in the galaxy
We are very lucky, as the Solar system is located in the inhabited zone of the Milky Way galaxy, which contributes to the emergence of life for a number of reasons. In our galaxy, there are 4 main spiral arms. Here is on the edge of one of them - the sleeve of Orion, and the sun is presently abiding.
This is the outskirts, and the distance from it to the center is about 8 thousand parsecs (1 parsec = 3.2 light years). Therefore, the last 4.5 billion years we have been living quite calmly, without being subjected to galactic cataclysms.
Interesting fact: The brightness of the Sun is in 4th place among the next 50 stars.
Science began to have such data thanks to the research of two astronomers: William Herschel and Harlow Shapley. The latter was able to create a detailed map of our galaxy. It turns out that the solar system rotates around the galactic center, with a speed of more than 200 km / s. And during her existence she managed to wrap herself around him 30 times.
Sun and Earth
The influence of the sun on our planet is infinitely huge. And this is not an exaggeration. The Earth revolves around the Sun, as if substituting its “sides” to it, which causes changes in the seasons and day-night transition.
Moreover, due to the radiated heat and light, life has arisen and continues to exist in all its diversity. Every year and “completely free” every square kilometer of the Earth’s surface receives 342 watts of energy. As soon as you look at the tariff, multiply this figure by the number of hours in a year, it immediately becomes clear how rich we are.
Interesting fact: the sun's ray arrives to us in 8 minutes 19 seconds.
But this is only a small fraction of the immeasurable wealth of our planet, generously endowed with the sun. It is under the influence of its rays that the plants grow continuously, saturate the atmosphere with oxygen so necessary for breathing, endless disinfection of the environment, and the healing of the human body.
We learned how to generate electricity using the resources of the planet, created again thanks to the Sun. And you can be absolutely sure that using its benefits in the next few billion years, humanity will reach cosmic heights and the universal level of development.
The sun in mythology
The cult of a bright golden disk, giving light and warmth, was widespread throughout the globe in antiquity. He was worshiped, deified, prayed, made endless sacrifices. The sun was sung and praised.
Interesting fact: Japan is the land of the rising sun. "An empire over which the sun never sets" is an imperative used in relation to the colonial empires of Spain, Britain.
The central god of a number of pantheons of antiquity is nothing but our heavenly luminary. It is not surprising that it has become a symbol of power, wealth, and power. And his earthly personification has always been gold.
In mythology, the sun was turned into a living creature, it was from him that the ancient kings and rulers led their kind. Moreover, terrestrial inhabitants experienced incredible fear and horror before the Sun, in every possible way afraid of its anger and extinction. The ancient peoples of America made sacrifices to propitiate the supreme deity. And the Greeks created a beautiful cosmogonic legend of the Phaeton.
And nowadays echoes of the past appear: then suddenly a message appears about the explosion of a beloved star, then its spots will begin to grow to an unprecedented size. Such fears are incredibly tenacious and enduring and often fall on the "fertile soil of blind beliefs" of ignorant inhabitants.
