Learning Outcomes:

Lesson 1:

 Describe the physical characteristics of the Sun as a whole and compare the various
layers that make up the Sun
 Describe the hydrostatic balance keeping the Sun stable
 State the postulates of the Special Theory of Relativity
 Explain energy flow within the Sun
 Describe the Special Theory of Relativity's predictions for motion near the speed of light,
and the equivalence between mass and energy
 Relate the temperature of a dense object emitting blackbody radiation to its overall colour
and total amount of energy produced

Lesson 2:

 Explain the difference between fusion and fission

 Describe the details of the three-step fusion process that takes place in the core of the Sun
 Identify and understand the Canadian contribution to solving the solar neutrino problem
 Explain how the radiation energy generated in the Sun’s core eventually gets to Earth and
the methods scientists use to determine this
 Describe sunspots, their eleven-year cycle and the effects solar outbursts have on Earth

Lesson 3:

 Explain how we measure distances to the nearest stars

 Use the brightness of nearby stars and their distances from Earth to determine their
luminosity
 Explain how we can use the spectra of stars to classify them by temperature
 Explain how we estimate the masses of stars through binary stars