This research paper is meant to explore the relationship between the earth and sun.

Suggested topics for this paper are as follows:

SOLAR VARIABILITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Possible topics include:

1. The sunspot cycle and it’s affects on earth’s climate.

2. The Maunder Minimum – What was it’s impact on life and culture during that time period? What are possible causes for it? Did it happen before? Will it happen again?

SOLAR INTERACTIONS WITH THE EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE AND SPACE ENVIRONMENT.

Possible topics include:

  1. Solar radiation and how the earth protects us.
  2. What will happen when the earth temporarily looses its magnetic field when the field reverses.
  3. A detailed look at Aurora.

IMPACTS OF SPACE WEATHER ON HUMAN ENDEAVORS.

Possible topics include:

  1. How do large coronal mass ejections affect humans in space, satellites, and power grids?
  2. How do we forecast space weather?
  3. A detailed look at the SOHO spacecraft and how it observes space weather.

Astronomy Sun Earth interaction Research Paper Grading Rubric

Your Introduction, Body, and Conclusion will be graded using the following writing criteria:

1. Content: Writing is purposeful and focused with strong voice/point of view, and engages the audience.

2. Organization:Writing includes a strong beginning, middle, and end, with some transitions and good closure.

3. Vocabulary: Purposeful use of word choice.

4. Language mechanics: Frequent use of varied sentence structure. Consistent agreement between parts of speech.

5. Editing: free of spelling and grammar errors

Point values are as follows:

___ 2 pts: Title Page: This needs to include the title of paper, your name, date, and period.

___ 2 pts: Typed: Self explanatory. It also needs to be free of spelling and grammar errors

___ 4 pts: Length: The minimum length is based on 2.5 pages based on a double spaced, 12 pt. Font. The title page and references do not count as part of the 2.5 page minimum.

___ 5 pts: Introduction: The introduction should summarize the paper and gain the readers attention. It must also contain a thesis statement.

A Thesis statement is a sentence or two in your text that contains the focus of your paper. It tells the reader exactly what the paper is going to be about. Keep your thesis statement specific. A good thesis statement can help keep you focused on the main point of your paper when writing it.

___ 9 pts: Body: The body must be relevant to the thesis statement. In the body, the topic of your paper must now be explained, described, or argued. Each paragraph in your body must be relevant to your thesis statement, the main idea in your paper. The body should be well developed, contain relevant paragraphs, and be coherent.

___ 4 pts: Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the paper. It needs to summarize your thoughts; demonstrate the importance of your ideas, and to propel your reader to a new view of the subject. The conclusion gives closure to your paper.

___ 4 pts: References: Your sources need to be cited. You need to use at least 3 different sources. When using sources, cite them, don’t plagiarize (a 0% will be given for plagiarism). If you cut and paste a sentence from a source, you MUST cite the source. For information and examples on how to correctly cite your sources for websites and books, go to:

How to cite an Internet source:

Author. “Title of Article” Name of website. Date last modified. <URL>

Example:

Werne, Joseph. “The Maunder Minimum” CORA Nov. 28th, 2000. <

____ 0% plagiarized

____ out of 30