Question

List three ways in which solar activity affects Earth. Please be specific, giving examples.

Describe the process whereby radiation gets through the radiative zone in the Sun and why it takes so long for radiation to get through this zone. How does the phrase "random walk" relate to the radiative zone? Summarize how helioseismology tells us about the interior of the Sun.

Summarize how helioseismology tells us about the interior of the Sun.

Compare helioseismology to geoseismology. How are these two studies similar?

Answer 1

The solar activity affects the earth in various ways:

• A solar flare is an intense burst of radiation coming from the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots. Solar flares affect the earth when the occur facing the earth. As these flares are made of photon, they travel directly from its location and can impact the earth.
• When the magnetic fields of the solar atmosphere is confined , it can suddenly and violently release bubbles of gas and magnetic fields called coronal mass ejections.Coronal mass ejections, also known as CMEs are clouds of plasma and magnetic fields which erupts from the sun. They can occur in any direction and can go on piercing the solar wind in that direction. In case it is aimed at earth it will have repercussions accordingly.
• Then we have high speed solar wind streams from coronal holes in the sun. In case the earth is close to sun in such a situation, they will impact the earth. These coronal holes can form anywhere on the sun.