Sun and Sunspots Quiz

Sun

• The sun gives food to all living things and is a source of energy.
• The innermost section of the sun is called the core.
• The surface layer of the sun that we see with our eyes is called the photosphere, meaning "sphere of light".
• Sunspots are dark spots on the sun's surface that are cooler than the surrounding gases.
• The photosphere is dangerous to look at directly.

Chromosphere and Corona

• The chromosphere is the fiery atmosphere of the sun that displays giant bursts of gas.
• We view the chromosphere using a monochromator, or "one-color meter".
• The corona is the vapor blanket surrounding the sun, visible only during a total solar eclipse.

Constellations

• Constellations are star groups that resemble people, animals, and objects.
• The Big Dipper is a star group used as a starting point for locating constellations and is part of the Great Bear/Ursa Major constellation.
• The two stars in the Big Dipper's bowl farthest from the handle are called the pointers.
• Polaris is the North Star, located in the Little Dipper.

Locating Constellations

• The Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and Polaris can be seen all year round.
• Leo the Lion constellation is just below Ursa Major and can be seen in February-June.
• We can find Regulus by drawing a straight line down from the two stars in the Big Dipper's bowl closest to the handle.
• The Herdsman constellation is found in the summer sky just under Ursa Major's nose, and Arcturus is its largest star.
• We can find the Herdsman by continuing the curved line of the Big Dipper's handle to the star Arcturus.
• The Twins (Gemini) constellation is visible between December and May, and can be located by drawing an imaginary diagonal line that passes through the Big Dipper's bowl and then continues outward from the bottom right corner.
• Orion is the most impressive constellation, looking like a mighty hunter, and is mentioned in the Bible.
• The two supergiant stars in the constellation Orion are Betelgeuse and Rigel.
• The star Sirius is located in the Big Dog (Canis Major) constellation.
• The Scorpion constellation looks like a dreaded arachnid and weaves through the Southern sky, with Antares as its most outstanding star.