Birth of the Sun
This model proposes that the solar system originated from the gravitational collapse of a rotating molecular cloud composed primarily of hydrogen and dust.
What is the Solar Nebula Theory?
This layer represents the depth from which photons escape, producing the light we observe from Earth.
What is the photosphere?
This extremely hot outer atmospheric layer is the origin of the continuous stream of charged particles released into space.
What is the corona?
These inner planets are characterized by high density, metallic cores, and silicate rock composition.
What are terrestrial planets?
This trans-Neptunian region is the primary source of short-period comets.
What is the Kuiper Belt?
This pre–main sequence phase describes the Sun when gravitational contraction was occurring but sustained hydrogen fusion had not yet begun.
What is the protostar stage?
In this region, energy transfer occurs primarily through photon absorption and re-emission.
What is the radiative zone?
Localized regions of intense magnetic field concentration that appear darker due to lower surface temperature.
What is Sunspots
This circumstellar region located between Mars and Jupiter contains the majority of rocky planetesimal remnants.
What is the asteroid belt?
This distant spherical reservoir surrounding the solar system supplies long-period comets.
What is the Oort Cloud?
This specific contraction phase increased internal temperature and pressure until nuclear fusion became possible.
What is Hayashi contraction?
Convective currents dominate this layer due to steep temperature gradients.
What is the convective zone?
This outward flow of plasma interacts with planetary magnetic fields and can generate geomagnetic storms.
What is solar wind?
These outer planets are composed largely of hydrogen, helium, and volatile compounds such as methane and ammonia.
What are gas giants and ice giants?
This atmospheric phenomenon occurs when a meteoroid ionizes air molecules during high-speed entry.
What is a meteor?
The majority of the Sun’s initial helium abundance originated from this cosmological event.
What is the Big Bang?
This element undergoes nuclear fusion via the proton-proton chain reaction in the Sun’s core.
What is hydrogen?
This phenomenon, in which the equatorial regions rotate faster than the polar regions, contributes to magnetic field twisting.
What is differential rotation?
This orbital motion determines the duration of a planet’s year.
What is revolution?
If a fragment survives atmospheric ablation and impacts Earth’s surface, it becomes this.
What is a meteorite?
This physical relationship demonstrates that a small loss of mass in the Sun’s core results in a tremendous energy output.
What is E = mc²?
This extended phase of stellar equilibrium is characterized by hydrostatic balance between gravitational collapse and fusion pressure.
What is the main-sequence stage?
This planetary feature deflects charged solar particles and reduces radiation exposure at the surface.
What is the magnetosphere?
A moon is classified as this type of gravitationally bound object orbiting a planet.
What is a natural satellite?
Sublimation of volatile ices near perihelion produces this characteristic feature of comets.
What is a comet tail?