Our Amazing, Powerful Sun
An ultraviolet image of the Sun shows bright, glowing arcs of gas flowing around the sunspots.Copyright National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Solar System Exploration
Students are introduced to the Sun by exploring various aspects of it, including its composition, interior workings, and relationship to the Earth.
Many types of engineers are involved in the space field. Aerospace engineers design and help build airplanes and spacecraft. Other types of engineers, including electrical and mechanical engineers, design, test and install important systems for space bound equipment and ships. Engineers make telescopes, imaging systems and satellites to view the Sun and its events. They also make solar panel collectors and other solar-powered devices used on Earth.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Explain that energy comes to the Earth from the Sun.
- Describe the role engineers play in learning about space and the Sun.