The NASA Heliophysics Education Activation Team (NASA HEAT) provides resources to learners of all ages, including a Framework for Heliophysics Education and an extensive Heliophysics Resource Database to help guide educators in finding everything they need to bring curated heliophysics resources, including NASA data, videos, activities, lesson plans and more, into a variety of learning spaces.
What is Heliophysics?
Heliophysics is the study of our star, the Sun [helio], and how its behavior [physics] affects Earth, the solar system, and the very nature of space.
The Science Mission Directorate Heliophysics Division studies the nature of the Sun, and how it influences the very nature of space – and, in turn, the atmospheres of planets and the technology that exists there. Space is not, as is often believed, completely empty; instead, we live in the extended atmosphere of an active star. Our Sun sends out a steady outpouring of particles and energy – the solar wind – as well as a constantly writhing magnetic system. This extensive, dynamic solar atmosphere surrounds the Sun, Earth, the planets, and extends far out into the solar system.
Read More![](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/heliophysics.png?w=4096&format=png&crop=1)
Heliophysics Missions
The NASA Heliophysics Systems Observatory works with other NASA systems observatories to give NASA a complete picture of the Sun-Earth System.
By studying the Sun and other objects in the solar system, scientists can learn more about other stars and planetary systems. In turn, learning about other stars can teach us about the origin of our solar system and the origin of life on Earth. NASA’s heliophysics mission fleet spans the entire heliosphere. From the Voyager Mission, which crossed the heliosphere boundary, and is the only human-made object to leave the heliosphere; to Parker Solar Probe, which will fly into the atmosphere of the Sun, and will be the closest human-made object to ever "touch the Sun."
Read More![The Sun on the left, with several missions throughout the solar system on the right. A list of heliophysics missions is at the top.](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Helio-Fleet-16_9-top-text_REV_MAR23-03.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg&crop=1)
Heliophysics Topics
Heliophysics topics are naturally interdisciplinary and can be an effective way to teach about Earth science topics and an engaging way to explore the fundamentals of physical and life sciences.
From the core of the Sun, where nuclear fusion reactions create its energy, to auroral displays in Earth’s atmosphere, heliophysics topics span beyond solar science. Popular heliophysics topics include: aurora, coronal mass ejection, solar flare, geomagnetic storm, magnetic reconnection, solar eclipse, solar wind, space weather, and sunspot.
Read More![This coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted into space on August 31, 2012, traveling over 900 miles per second. It connected with Earth’s magnetic field with a glancing blow. For more CME visualizations, visit the Goddard Media Studios.](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/coronalmassejection_768_60.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg&crop=1)
Why Teach Heliophysics?
Everyone has a connection to the Sun!
The Sun can provide a fun and exciting laboratory for exploring magnetism, gravity, light, energy, and much more! Learning about the Sun and its influence on the solar system can help scientists understand how the universe began, how stars and planets are formed, and how life can exist on Earth. Studying this system not only helps us understand fundamental information about how the universe works, but also helps protect our technology and astronauts in space. NASA seeks knowledge of near-Earth space, because – when extreme – space weather can interfere with our communications, satellites and power grids.
Read More![A visualization showing some of the effects the Sun's activity can have on technology and infrastructure. At top of the image, an orange sun in space shows active flares. Energetic electrons are shown damaging spacecraft electronics orbiting Earth. Solar flare protons are also shown damaging orbiting spacecraft electronics, but also causing radiation effects on avionics and communications and GPS signal scintillation. On land, enlarged power lines represent geomagnetically induced currents in power systems. In water, enlarged images of a submarine and offshore pipeline facility represent induced effects in submarine cables and telluric currents in pipelines, respectively.](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/space-weather-effects.png?w=4096&format=png&crop=1)
How to Teach Heliophysics
Use our Framework for Heliophysics Education to incorporate heliophysics topics into your existing STEM curricula or programing.
“Heliophysics education activation” is a need because [1] heliophysics is a relatively new discipline of science, so therefore [2] people are unfamiliar with the term and [3] many educators may feel intimidated by the term. The term is also not mentioned in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the heliosphere is not included in models of Earth’s systems. The Framework for Heliophysics Education includes nine Heliophysics Big Ideas that encompass the major heliophysics concepts that can be explored at multiple levels. Each Heliophyiscs Big Idea has guiding questions for each level of learner, designed to support inquiry-based learning.
Start exploring the Big Ideas below to find age-appropriate activities and resources for your learners! Or go directly to searching our Resource Database.
![a colorful composite image of the Sun](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/SlicesOfSDO_rotor_stand.4Kx4K.03000.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg&crop=1)
Heliophysics and the NGSS
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) were created by the National Research Council's (NRC) framework for K-12 Science Education and drive the science curricula in forty-four states.
Using the three main questions that heliophysicists investigate as the foundation, the Framework for Heliophysics Education connects heliophysics topics with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), to create Heliophysics Big Ideas. The nine Heliophysics Big Ideas encompass the major heliophysics concepts that can be explored through existing NGSS disciplinary core ideas. Each Heliophyiscs Big Idea has guiding questions for each level of learner, designed to support inquiry-based learning.
Start exploring the Big Ideas below to find age-appropriate activities and resources for your learners! Or go directly to searching our Resource Database and filter by NGSS performance expectation.
![A small portion of a sepia toned sun with bright white streamers erupting from the surface and the Next Generation Science Standards logo in orange, green and blue in the middle](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/About_NGSS.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg&crop=1)
Heliophysics Big Ideas
Framework for Heliophysics Education
1. What are the impacts of the changing Sun on humanity?
Explore more about this science question by selecting a Heliophyiscs Big Idea below and find curated inquiry-based resources for learners at different levels.
![An image of the Sun shows a bright flash in the bottom right side where a solar flare erupts.](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sdo-x5pt8-flare-0122ut-may-11-2024-171-193-131.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
Heliophysics Big Idea 1.1
The Sun is really big and its gravity influences all objects in the solar system. (PS2, ESS1)
![The Sun appears as a mottled orange orb, with several bright regions of swirling plasma appearing in pink and purple. A bright white flash of light appears in the upper right.](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sdo-131-171-x4pt5-flare-may-6-2024.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
Heliophysics Big Idea 1.2
The Sun is active and can impact technology on Earth via space weather. (PS1, PS2, PS4, ESS2, ESS3)
![Against a black background, the Sun seen in red, with spots of orange and black swirling. On the bottom right area of the star, there are spurts of solar material seen against the black background.](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240408-183730-4096-0304.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
Heliophysics Big Idea 1.3
The Sun’s energy drives Earth’s climate, but the climate is in a delicate balance and is changing due to human activity. (PS1, PS2, PS3, LS4, ESS2, ESS3)
2. How do Earth, the solar system, and the heliosphere respond to changes on the Sun?
Explore more about this science question by selecting a Heliophyiscs Big Idea below and find curated inquiry-based resources for learners at different levels..
![The Sun against a black background. The Sun appears mostly orange and fades to a darker red on the edges. Toward the middle and slightly to the left on the solar surface a few dark splotches.](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/bigsunspot-hmiintensity-00200-print.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
Heliophysics Big Idea 2.1
Life on Earth has evolved with complex diversity because of our location near the Sun. It is just right! (PS3, PS4, LS1, LS2, ESS2)
![deatiled image of the sun](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/latest-4096-0193.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
Heliophysics Big Idea 2.2
The Sun defines the space around it, which is different from interstellar space. (PS2, ESS1, ESS2)
![Flaring, active regions of our sun are highlighted in this new image combining observations from several telescopes](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/pia19821-nustar-xrt-sun.webp?w=4096&format=png)
Heliophysics Big Idea 2.3
The Sun is the primary source of light in our solar system. (PS1, PS2, PS3,PS4, ESS1)
3. What causes the Sun to vary?
Explore more about this science question by selecting a Heliophyiscs Big Idea below and find curated inquiry-based resources for learners at different levels.
![Sun, 335 angstrom UV](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/10-08-2014_4096_0335_1000.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
Heliophysics Big Idea 3.1
The Sun is made of churning plasma, causing the surface to be made of complex, tangled magnetic fields. (PS1, PS2, ESS1, ESS2)
![A tannish-orange Sun emits swirling pinkish flares slightly south of the middle of the sphere](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Sun_Emits_Flare.jpeg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
Heliophysics Big Idea 3.2
Energy from the Sun is created in the core and travels outward through the Sun and into the heliosphere.
(PS1, PS3, PS4, ESS1, ESS2, ESS3)
![](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/7332_Sunspot-Solar-Dynamics-Observatory-Mars-Rover-Curiosity-pia19680-full2.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
Solar Dynamics Observatory
The images above are taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). SDO is designed to help us understand the Sun's influence on Earth and Near-Earth space by studying the solar atmosphere on small scales of space and time and in many wavelengths simultaneously. These images were taken by an instrument aboard SDO called the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA). AIA images the solar atmosphere in multiple wavelengths to link changes in the surface to interior changes. Data includes images of the Sun in 10 wavelengths every 10 seconds. Because we can't see extreme ultraviolet light with our eyes, different colors are added to the data collected by AIA so that we can see the features of the Sun. Different wavelengths of light are represented by different colors.
Real-time Images of the Sun![The Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft, like a silver rectangular box, with an antennae attached to the top. On the back are 3 cyclindrical objects and there is a large flat panel protruding from the left and right on the back.](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/solar-dynamics-observatory-1.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
Physics in Astronomy Context Monthly Workshop Series from AAPT
Free professional development opportunity for physics educators.
Learn More![This image is a multi-wavelength composite of the Sun, showcasing its dynamic and turbulent surface. The Sun is depicted as a large, spherical object glowing with intense colors, including reds, greens, yellows, and bright blues. Bright, vibrant regions highlight areas of intense magnetic activity, while darker patches indicate cooler, less active areas. Wisps of solar material are visible swirling across the surface, creating a textured, almost swirling effect. The outer edges of the Sun appear to be radiating energy, with a glowing aura that extends into the surrounding blackness of space, illustrating the Sun's powerful solar flares and coronal emissions.](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pia19821-nustar-xrt-sun.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)