Introduction: Is the Sun a Perfect Sphere At first glance, the Sun appears to be a perfectly round sphere. Telescopes, space probes and everyday observations all suggest a smooth, circular disk. However, when scientists measure the Sun with extreme precision, they find that it is not a mathematically perfect sphere. Instead, the Sun is very…
Granulation on the Sun is a visible pattern on the Sun’s photosphere (its visible surface) caused by intense convective motion of hot plasma. The surface looks like a field of bright, irregular cells surrounded by darker borders, resembling boiling water. This pattern is not solid or static , it is constantly forming, evolving and disappearing…
What Are Solar Sound WavesSolar sound waves are pressure waves also called acoustic or p-mode oscillations that travel through the Sun’s interior. These waves are generated by turbulent motions in the Sun’s outer layer where hot plasma rises and cooler plasma sinks. Although sound cannot travel through space, these vibrations move efficiently inside the Sun’s…
What Is Axial Tilt and Why It MattersAxial tilt refers to the angle between a planet’s rotational axis and the perpendicular to its orbital plane. Earth’s axial tilt is about 23.5 degrees which is responsible for the changing seasons, balanced climate zones and predictable solar energy distribution. If this tilt were to change dramatically, Earth…
Introduction to Space Weathering on the Moon The Moon has no atmosphere, magnetic field or weather system to protect its surface. Because of this, it is constantly exposed to the Sun’s energy and particles. Over millions and billions of years, this exposure slowly changes the Moon’s surface. This long-term alteration caused mainly by the Sun…
Sun as the Source of LifeThe Sun provides the energy that makes life on Earth possible. Its light drives photosynthesis allowing plants to produce food and oxygen which supports almost all living organisms. Day and Night CycleThe rotation of Earth under the Sun creates day and night. This cycle controls sleeping, feeding and activity patterns…
Single, Intense Light Source On the Moon, the Sun is the only significant source of light. There is no atmosphere to scatter sunlight so shadows are created by one strong, direct beam. This makes shadows much darker and sharper than on Earth. Absence of Atmosphere Earth’s atmosphere scatters sunlight in all directions, softening shadows. The…
What Moonlight Is Moonlight is sunlight reflected off the surface of the Moon. It is not a light of its own but a mirror of the Sun’s rays. The Moon’s surface reflects only about 12% of the sunlight it receives which is why moonlight appears much dimmer than sunlight. The Speed of Moonlight Moonlight travels…
Concept of the Sun–Moon Scale Model The Sun–Moon scale model is an educational project designed to represent the Sun, Earth and Moon on a human scale while maintaining their actual relative sizes and distances. By scaling down these celestial bodies, the model allows people to visualize astronomical distances and sizes in a tangible, comprehensible way….
What is an Eclipse An eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon align in a straight line causing one celestial body to cast a shadow on another. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking the Sun’s light. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the…
