This interactive page developed by the Space Science Institute is a set of tutorials on the Sun's place in space, structure of the Sun, the solar cycle and solar wind phenomena, and dynamic processes on the Sun such as flares and coronal mass ejections. Designed for secondary education, the site also features six games to enhance understanding: 1) The Great Escape -- Follow a solar maze to see why it takes hundreds of thousands of years to get from the Sun's fusion core to its surface. 2) Our Place in Space -- Explore the Milky Way and try to find the Sun. 3) Near & Far -- Rank objects in order from closest to farthest from you. 4) Small and Large -- Place objects in order from largest-to-smallest. 5) Wrath of Ra -- Try to hit Earth by launching particles off the Sun. If you succeed, you could cause an aurora. 6) Solar Vision -- See if you can find objects that can only be seen through a certain filter.
NOTE: The computer games all run in an app called "Ruffle", a Flash Player emulator written in the Rust programming language. Ruffle runs on all modern operating systems as a standalone application, and on all modern browsers through the use of WebAssembly.
Forces at a distance are explained by fields (gravitational, electric, and magnetic) permeating space that can transfer energy through space. Magnets or electric currents cause magnetic fields; electric charges or changing magnetic fields cause electric fields. (9-12)
Electromagnetic Radiation (PS4.B)
When light or longer wavelength electromagnetic radiation is absorbed in matter, it is generally converted into thermal energy (heat). Shorter wavelength electromagnetic radiation (ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays) can ionize atoms and cause damage to living cells. (9-12)
Crosscutting Concepts (K-12)
Scale, Proportion, and Quantity (3-12)
Phenomena that can be observed at one scale may not be observable at another scale. (6-8)
The significance of a phenomenon is dependent on the scale, proportion, and quantity at which it occurs. (9-12)
Using the concept of orders of magnitude allows one to understand how a model at one scale relates to a model at another scale. (9-12)
Systems and System Models (K-12)
Models (e.g., physical, mathematical, computer models) can be used to simulate systems and interactions—including energy, matter, and information flows—within and between systems at different scales. (9-12)
Structure and Function (K-12)
The functions and properties of natural and designed objects and systems can be inferred from their overall structure, the way their components are shaped and used, and the molecular substructures of its various materials. (9-12)
Forces at a distance are explained by fields (gravitational, electric, and magnetic) permeating space that can transfer energy through space. Magnets or electric currents cause magnetic fields; electric charges or changing magnetic fields cause electric fields. (9-12)
Electromagnetic Radiation (PS4.B)
When light or longer wavelength electromagnetic radiation is absorbed in matter, it is generally converted into thermal energy (heat). Shorter wavelength electromagnetic radiation (ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays) can ionize atoms and cause damage to living cells. (9-12)
Crosscutting Concepts (K-12)
Scale, Proportion, and Quantity (3-12)
Phenomena that can be observed at one scale may not be observable at another scale. (6-8)
The significance of a phenomenon is dependent on the scale, proportion, and quantity at which it occurs. (9-12)
Using the concept of orders of magnitude allows one to understand how a model at one scale relates to a model at another scale. (9-12)
Systems and System Models (K-12)
Models (e.g., physical, mathematical, computer models) can be used to simulate systems and interactions—including energy, matter, and information flows—within and between systems at different scales. (9-12)
Structure and Function (K-12)
The functions and properties of natural and designed objects and systems can be inferred from their overall structure, the way their components are shaped and used, and the molecular substructures of its various materials. (9-12)
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=16031">Space Science Institute. Space Weather Center: Living With a Star. Boulder: Space Science Institute, August 29, 2011.</a>
Space Weather Center: Living With a Star. (2011, August 29). Retrieved March 15, 2026, from Space Science Institute: http://www.spaceweathercenter.org/living_with_a_star/01/01.html
Space Science Institute. Space Weather Center: Living With a Star. Boulder: Space Science Institute, August 29, 2011. http://www.spaceweathercenter.org/living_with_a_star/01/01.html (accessed 15 March 2026).
Space Weather Center: Living With a Star. Boulder: Space Science Institute, 2001. 29 Aug. 2011. 15 Mar. 2026 <http://www.spaceweathercenter.org/living_with_a_star/01/01.html>.
@misc{
Title = {Space Weather Center: Living With a Star},
Publisher = {Space Science Institute},
Volume = {2026},
Number = {15 March 2026},
Month = {August 29, 2011},
Year = {2001}
}
%T Space Weather Center: Living With a Star %D August 29, 2011 %I Space Science Institute %C Boulder %U http://www.spaceweathercenter.org/living_with_a_star/01/01.html %O text/html
%0 Electronic Source %D August 29, 2011 %T Space Weather Center: Living With a Star %I Space Science Institute %V 2026 %N 15 March 2026 %8 August 29, 2011 %9 text/html %U http://www.spaceweathercenter.org/living_with_a_star/01/01.html
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