Basic
solar and astrophysics
For an
introduction to solar physics, have a look at three web sites (1,
2,
3)
that describe the Sun and show it in its many guises. Two of these sites
provide glossaries (1,
2)
that explain solar terminology. With that background, have a look at an
explanatory slide
show that shows the solar surface and its outer layers, the environment
between sun and Earth, the effects of the Sun on the Earth, and even the
future fate of the Sun as it evolves. Then there is a slide
show showing a collection of different images of the Sun, with some
explanation. And for something completely different, you can even listen
to the sounds in the Sun that are generated by the turbulent motions of
the gas near its surface, and read what that is used for in the field of
helioseismology (1,
2)
to probe the internal structure of the Sun. You can also look at the simplest
resonance patterns of the Sun.
The
YOHKOH
project has a Public Outreach page with various movies of the Sun, but
there isn't much explanation yet. There are also movies
that show examples of what happens on the Sun immediately following a flare.
The
evolution of stars is illustrated here
with audio and video. This evolution is usually plotted in a so--called
Herzsprung--Russell
diagram
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