False Compared with Earth's diameter, the Sun's diameter is about one hundred times larger The density of the Sun is closest to that of which of the objects listed below? a comet Compared to the Sun's corona, its photosphere is denser and cooler The density and temperature in the solar corona are much higher than in the photosphere. False The primary source of the Sun's energy is fusion of light nuclei to make heavier ones Neutrinos have never been detected experimentally. Life SpanĮach sunspot can last from a few hours to a few months.The proton-proton chain releases energy because mass is created in the process. Learn more about the current sunspot cycle and solar activity. The part of the solar cycle with low sunspot activity is referred to as “solar minimum.” It’s a period of relative calm on the Sun’s surface.Ĭonversely, the portion of the cycle with high activity is known as “solar maximum” or “solar max.” However, there does seem to be a fairly regular cycle in that sunspot counts rise and fall every 11 years on the average. Sometimes the Sun contains a large number of sunspots, while at other times, few or none are seen. Overall, sunspots have a magnetic field that is about 1000 times stronger than the surrounding photosphere. The field is weaker and more horizontal in the lighter part-the penumbra. The field is strongest in the darker parts of the sunspots-called the umbra. One set will have a positive or north magnetic field while the other set will have a negative or south magnetic field. Interestingly, sunspots often appear in pairs that are aligned in an east-west direction. We know that sunspot counts generally rise and fall every 11 years on the average. The count varies sunspots often appear in groups. Sunspots expand and contract as they move across the surface of the Sun. Some sunspots are big as Earth while others are more than ten times that! They can get as large as 80, 000 km in diameter. Scientists also examine how sunspots may affect Earth’s climate. The pressure builds and builds inside the soda can until … pop! The energy explodes!Īstronomers study sunspots to determine when these magnetic storms will occur. Think of that rubber band snapping! These explosions, called solar flares and coronal mass ejections, can cause magnetic storms that can temporarily knock out Earth’s satellites, electricity, and communications, and pose a hazard to astronauts.Īnother analogy is a soda pop bottle being shaken. Sometimes, when the magnetic field suddenly breaks around a sunspot, energy is released and plasma explodes into space. The magnetic fields can get twisted like a rubber band, twisting and pulling and twisting, building energy. To understand solar activity, one analogy is a rubber band. They look dark only in comparison with the brighter and hotter regions of the photosphere around them. Sunspots have temperatures of about 3,800 degrees K. Sunspots are more active, intense areas on the surface of the Sun where the magnetic force is so bundled up that heat can’t escape. As a result, the Sun’s surface at these areas is darker and cooler than its surroundings, although still very bright.įor perspective, the surface of the Sun called the photosphere has a temperature of 5,800 degrees Kelvin. The Old Farmer’s Almanac uses sunspot activity to help in making its weather predictions.
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