Astronomy 1021 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Solar Wind, Gas Giant, Coronal Mass Ejection

• School: Western University
• Department: Astronomy
• Course: Astronomy 1021
• Professor: Jan Cami

Document Summary

Astronomical unit (distance b/w earth and the sun) Planet is defined as: orbiting a sun, having sufficient mass to overcome rigid body forces (round shape), has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit. Dwarf planet: orbits a sun, is round, has not cleared the neighbourhood, and is not a satellite: all other objects (n/i satellites), are called small solar system bodies (i. e. asteroids) Interaction of h plasma and magnetic fields sometimes get twisted causing sun spots (predicted by babcock rules: coronal mass ejection is a massive solar material being released. When directed at earth, this results in a geomagnetic storm. Causing auroras, collapsed entire hydro-quebec grid into space (6milion people w/o power for 9hrs o. ), evidence for moving water in past: why is it red, solar uv separates o and h, h is light so escapes as thermal energy, o reacts with the rocks literally rusting the surface of the rocks.