What is the solar cycle? - NASA
WEBWhat is the solar cycle? Answer: The amount of magnetic flux that rises up to the Sun's surface varies with time in a cycle called the solar cycle. This cycle lasts 11 years on average. This cycle is sometimes referred to as the sunspot cycle. Near the minimum of the solar cycle, it is rare to see sunspots on the Sun, and the spots that do ...
StarChild: Multidisciplinary Solar System Activities: Moonlight …
WEBMoonlight Madness. The of the Moon around the Earth causes the Moon to appear to change shape in the sky. These apparently different shapes are called "phases" of the Moon. The Moon passes through a cycle of eight phases which repeats itself every 29.5 days. There is no definite starting point for the cycle, but phases follow one behind the ...
StarChild Question of the Month for April 2001 - NASA
WEBThe synodic period is the time required for a body within the solar system, such as a planet, the Moon, or an artificial Earth satellite, to return to the same or approximately the same position relative to the Sun as seen by an observer on the Earth. The Moon's synodic period is the time between successive recurrences of the same phase; e.g ...
What are the phases of the Moon? - NASA
WEBAs the Moon circles the Earth, the amount of the lit side we see changes. These changes are known as the phases of the Moon and it repeats in a certain way over and over. At new moon, the Moon is lined up between the Earth and the Sun. We see the side of the Moon that is not being lit by the Sun (in other words, we see no Moon at all, because ...
Moon Glow - NASA
WEB3. Identify the Earth-Moon-Sun alignment that results in solar and lunar eclipses. MATERIALS: • Lamp with at least a 60 watt bulb • Large orange • One volunteer. Procedure: As Earth's only natural satellite, the Moon has long been an object of fascination and confusion. Over the course of a 29-day cycle, the Moon shows us many different ...
StarChild: A Learning Center for Young Astronomers - NASA
WEBMay 14, 2018 · StarChild is a learning center for young astronomers ages 5-13 to learn about the solar system, the Milky Way galaxy, and the universe beyond. Use the links above to explore the site's topics. If you are looking for something a bit more advanced (ages 14+), then head on over to Imagine the Universe! This site is intended for students …
StarChild: Glossary - NASA
WEBSOLAR ECLIPSE A shadow which falls on an area of Earth when the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth. SOLAR FLARES A magnetic storm on the Sun's surface which shows up as a sudden increase in brightness. SOLAR PROMINENCES Gases trapped at the edge of the Sun which appear to shoot outward from the Sun's surface. SOLAR SYSTEM
The Planets and Moons of Our Solar System - NASA
WEBThe Planets and Moons of Our Solar System. This activity can be used in conjunction with the StarChild Solar System Level 1 information. This activity can engage your students not only in learning about the solar system, but in practicing important language arts skills. Besides being a good skill builder for learners with limited reading skills ...
Archive of Questions
WEBWhat is the solar cycle? [January 2000] Does the Sun move around the Milky Way? [February 2000] What is a light-year and how is it used? [March 2000] What is meant by "false color"? [April 2000] What is the biggest star we know? [May 2000] What is space trash? [June 2000] Why does the United States spend so much money on satellites? …
Does the Sun move around the Milky Way? - NASA
WEBAnswer: Yes, the Sun - in fact, our whole solar system - orbits around the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. We are moving at an average velocity of 828,000 km/hr. But even at that high rate, it still takes us about 230 million years to make one complete orbit around the Milky Way! The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy.