Sunspot Activity

In this fun activity you will describe sunspots and make a graph of sunspot data from 1900 to the present. For this activity you will need to print a copy of the answer sheet. You will also need to use Microsoft Excel.

Directions:

1) Print the answer sheet.

2) Use the following two websites to answer questions 1 - 6:

SpaceWeather.com

Solar Physics

PLACE ALL ANSWERS ON THE ANSWER SHEET YOU JUST PRINTED.

1. What is today's date and sunspot number? If you divide this number by 15, you'll get the approximate number of individual sunspots visible on the solar disk if you look at the Sun through eclipse glasses (like on Shadow Day). How many spots would be visible today?

2. What is the Sunspot Cycle?

3. In what year did the last solar maximum occur?

4. The next solar maximum will occur in the year ___.

5. What does a BUTTERFLY DIAGRAM show?

6. What are sunspots?

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7. Check out this live image of the sun. If no image is available try these other sites:
Live Image of the Sun
Alternate Live Sun #1
Alternate Live Sun #2
Alternate Live Sun #3

In the circle on the answer sheet, draw where sunspots are currently occurring. Be sure to write down the date and time the image was taken.

8. Opinion Question--How large do you think a sunspot is compared to Earth?

9. Check out this photo of a sunspot. Now how large do you think a sunspot is compared to Earth?

10. Copy sunspot averages data from 1900 to present onto answer sheet.

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Use this graph of average sunspot numbers to answer the following questions:

12. In which years between 1900 and now did a sunspot MAXIMUM occur (list all years)?

13. In which years did a sunspot MINIMUM occur (list all years)?

14. Based on the graph, predict when the next two maximums will occur.

15. How often does a sunspot maximum typically occur?

16. This graph pattern is:
circle one (DIRECT INVERSE CYCLIC NO RELATIONSHIP).

17. There's no evidence, but some people claim that sunspots affect life on Earth. Some people think that even fashion styles and the performance of stocks are affected by sunspots. Compare this timeline of major events to your completed graph.

Do you see any connection? Explain.

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Explore Space...Not Drugs

Page last updated June 10, 2009

Page created by Frank Napolitano
Science Rules!