Why Does the Sun's Middle Spin Faster than Its Top and Bottom?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why does the Sun's middle spin faster than its top and bottom?

The Big Idea

The Sun's middle spins faster because the Sun is a giant ball of hot gas, not solid rock! Different parts of a gas ball can turn at different speeds. The Sun's middle spins once in about 25 days, while the regions near its poles take about 35 days. That's a very bendy way to spin.

A Ball of Gas

Step one: the Sun is made of hot gas. It has no solid ground to stand on. The gas flows and swirls, and different parts can slide past each other. That is very different from a rock.

Fast in the Middle

Step two: the middle spins fastest. The gas near the Sun's equator makes one full turn in about 25 days. It zooms around quicker than other parts. This is the fast lane.

Slower Near the Poles

Step three: the top and bottom spin more slowly. Near the poles, the gas takes about 35 days to turn once. So the surface twists around as the Sun spins. Scientists learned this by watching sunspots with safe filters.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The Sun's middle makes a turn in about 25 days. The regions near its poles take about 35 days. Scientists track sunspots to measure the spin. They use solar telescopes with safe filters.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! The Sun is a ball of hot gas. Its middle turns once in about 25 days. Sunspots help scientists see the spin. Never look straight at the Sun.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Spin a paper plate with a sticker near the middle and one near the edge. They turn together because the plate is solid. The Sun is not solid, so it twists. Tell a grown-up what that means.

Outro

The Sun spins in a bendy, twisty way, because it is made of gas. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!