Big Idea 2.2 Introductory Level Guiding Question
Introductory Level Guiding Question
What is the heliosphere?
Big Idea 2.2What is the heliosphere?
- 01
Educator Background
Earth has spheres (land, water, air, living things) and Earth is part of the Sun system, called the heliosphere. Most systems are inside the Earth, but the heliosphere is all around Earth and the entire solar system. The heliosphere is the region of space that is influenced by the solar wind, and other particles from the Sun. It is everything that the Sun touches!
- 02
Learning Constraints
At this level students are building a more complex view of how Earth's systems interact with one another (5-ESS2-1), and know that Earth orbits around the Sun (5-ESS1-2).
- 03
Connect to Heliophysics
Connect to the Sun by introducing the heliosphere into students' model of Earth's systems. While the heliosphere is not explicitly identified in the standard, it is implied because none of Earth's systems could exist without the Sun. The heliosphere is defined by the reach of the solar wind (energized particles from the Sun), and not simply by the reach of the Sun's light or heat. While conceptualizing solar wind at this level is not appropriate, you can make an analogy with Earth wind in that we can't see wind, but we can still measure it.
- 04
Extend Exploration
Extend student exploration by examining the extent of the heliosphere. The heliosphere extends out into space 123 Astronomical Units (AU) from the Sun, far beyond Pluto, which is only 39 AU from the Sun. Make sure students understand what an AU is. It is defined by the distance of Earth from the Sun, which is 93 million miles (1AU = 93 million miles, or 150 million km). Consider adding the heliosphere to a scale model of the solar system.
- 05
Differentiate for Beginner Learners
Support younger students by having them think about things they observe in the Earth system, like water (hydrosphere), air (atmosphere), plants and animals (biosphere), rocks and mountains (geosphere).
- 06
Differentiate for More Advanced Learners
Challenge students at the next level by having them investigate NASA missions that have studied the boundary of the heliosphere (IBEX, Voyager).
Featured Introductory Resources
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Heliophysics Resouce Database
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