Astronomy Cast 3&4

Ep. 255: Observing Hydrogen

Hydrogen makes up about 70% of the universe. Hydrogen has a huge number of uses. It powers cars, its used in all types of chemistry, but probably most important it is part of the fusion process that allows the sun to create the energy that keeps the planet warm. The energy delievered by the sun is a result of the hydrogen fusion reaction into helium. The huge stores of energy that are transferred to earth are the only reason that we continue to exist. Plant life needs the photons for energy, we need light to see, and the planet has to be warm enough for us to inhabit it. The sun is a necessary celestial object and it is only a useful star because of its hydrogen fusion. We can see hydrogen lines when using binoculars and looking into the sky. Alpha-Hydrogen lines are observable lines that come from almost all nebulas and are derived from hydrogen. hydrogen is all throughout our universe.
Ep. 238: Solar Activity
The sun is an object in the sky that is constantly changing. Sunspots are discrepancies in the suns surface that are caused for several reasons. They are visible when looking at the sun with a proper device. Viewing these sunspots allowed astronomers to decide that the sun is a constantly changing object. Solar activity is a constant and during an 11 year period the sun will go from having 0 sunspots to being covered all over with them. These sunspots can be miles across. An interesting way to measure solar activity is through ice cores. By digging deep into the artic ice and looking at different layers of ice, one can tell how the earth has seen significant differences in temperature and solar activity throughout its history. The sun is constantly changing and often releases particles into space called solar wind that can affect happenings on earth such as radio transmission.