“Exploring Our Solar System and Sun”

Access the interactive titled “What’s Your Favorite Planet?” under  the “Outer Planets” terms section of the Science Corner. You can also  view the interactive at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/favorite-planet.html.  Identify your favorite planet, Next, use the Internet  to research articles regarding research and mission(s) that the  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has made on the  planet that you have identified. Then, state the main reasons why the  planet you have chosen is your favorite. Discuss the mission(s) and  research that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)  has made to this planet, and explain the main benefits that the mission /  research has had on our understanding of both the planet in question  and the Earth.

Watch the video titled “Anatomy of the Sun” (3 min 21 sec) under The  Sun terms section of the Science Corner. You can also view the video at  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/labs/lab/sun/1/1/.  Next, discuss the main physical processes that occur in each layer of  the sun. Then, analyze the manner in which researchers use indirect  methods to study these layers.

Describe the cause and occurrence of the aurora borealis. Then  explain why this phenomenon is confined to high northern latitudes and  what influences the color of the aurora.