Here Comes the Sun
As does Earth, the sun has storms. Its storms, however, don't produce a deluge of precipitation. Instead, solar storms release awesome amounts of energy. At the end of last year, solar activity created a stream of radiation that got our attention. It damaged satellites and interfered with radio communication. It even caused a power outage in Sweden! However, the most immediate concern was protecting astronauts who might not be fully shielded by Earth's protective magnetic field. Although the low-orbit astronauts in the space station were not injured (they remained in radiation-protected shelters), the risk becomes critical when planning missions into interplanetary space.
by Michael DiSpezio
published online April 6, 2004
Making Waves
As you learned, solar radiation can interfere with earth-based radio communication. In this activity, you’ll explore ways in which interference might be blocked. Your interference source won’t be solar emissions, but electromagnetic waves produced by a nearby completed circuit.
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AA-cell (standard) Aluminum foil AM radio Ruler Paper CAUTION: Use only a standard, non-rechargeable AA-battery. Although you’ll be shorting the battery for only a fraction of a second at a time, the paper clip and cell can heat up. If the circuit warms, give it time to cool. Otherwise, the heated battery or paper clip might cause burns. |
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