The Sun: Powerhouse of the Solar System

Part of the Wonders of Astronomy & Space collection in the Show Me Science series aimed at grades 4-9, this brief program explains the science behind our friendly neighborhood star, better known as the Sun. Combining striking photographs with computer graphics, The Sun presents facts and explores mysteries regarding the fiery orb, including its composition and the ongoing combustion that generates the heat that is essential for life on Earth. Viewers learn that various chemical reactions lead to eddies of activity (such as sunspots—areas on the surface of the sun that are temporarily cooler than their surroundings), and about the conditions that create what is called “solar wind.” The program also covers the life of a star, discussing such things as white dwarfs, red giants, and supernovas, and points out that even the sun's life-giving power will come to an end, billions of years from now. Putting the topic into a broader context, the film also describes the Milky Way and the larger, awe-inspiring span of the universe. Other titles in the series include Asteroid, Galaxy, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Saturn, The Search for Extraterrestrial Life, Uranus & Neptune, and Venus. Informative and visually captivating, this is highly recommended. Aud: E, I, J, P. (C. Block)