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Astronomycast episode 175 from Monday, February 1, 2010.

Mysteries of the Solar System are two.

Welcome to Astronomycast, our weekly facts based journey through the cosmos to really help you understand not only what we know, but how we know what we know.

My name is Fraser Cain, I'm the publisher of University Day, and with me is Dr. Pamela Gaia Professor.

It's Southern Illinois University at Westville. Pamela, how's it going?

It's going well, how's it going with you, Fraser?

Good, ready for more mysteries.

So apparently, this is at least a two-part series.

We have no idea how many of this is going to be.

But this week, we continue examining some of the baffling mysteries of the solar system, where we fill your head with more questions than answers.

Sometimes we've just got to share the enjoyment of not knowing the answers.

All right, Pamela.

So when last we saw our heroes, they'd covered Pioneer Uranus, Europa C's, Methanomars, Strange, Atmosphere, and Titan.

So mystery number six, how does the Sun's corona work?

Why is it so hot? So what's the corona?

It's the highest level where you start seeing the beautiful loops, the beautiful flares.

All of the amazing activity that missions like Stereo and well, our new little STO is going to be imaging these as well.

Right, so these are all these crazy plumes and prominences coming out of the Sun.

That's the corona, and it's hot.

It's too hot.

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