SH1685

Fundamentals in Physics
Observed + Smoothed Average Planetary Solar Magnetic Index

The graph represents the magnetic activity of the Sun from 1991 until 2008, with the data
source from NOAA (USA’s version of PAGASA). Using the data gathered within the 17-year
period, they have plotted the Sun’s magnetic activity. The actual data is represented by the red
curve, while the blue curve represents the smoothed curve of the data.

A smoothed curve is a curve that has no jagged points in it. It is designed by differential
equations to represent data as smooth as possible.

As shown, the data point in October 2005 represents the Sun’s magnetic inactivity, which
also happened in 1933. Inactivity happens when sunspots generate less magnetic fields, as seen
from the small spike of activity that follows the indicated point.

References
Watts, A. (2009). Solar geomagnetic ap index now at lowest point in its record. Retrieved from Watts Up With That?:
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/01/04/solar-geomagnetic-ap-index-now-at-lowest-point-in-its-history/

01 Handout 2 *Property of STI

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