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The Active Sun

Phenomena
Photosphere Sunspots

Chromosphere Prominences

Corona Flares, Coronal Holes

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Sunspots
Characteristics

1500 K cooler than the surface

Last for a couple of months

Frequently in groups of 2-20 members

Sizes are usually larger than the Earth

Solar Cycle

From nothing to nothing its 11 yrs - Solar Cycle

we are near to an end of 24th cycle of solar activity

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Sunspot Maximum

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Solar Latitude Effect

solar maximum

Cycle #

Magnetogram
+ Red Yellow Green Blue —

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Magnetic Fields

Starts from Leading Spot to Trailing Spot


Today's Sunspots and Magnetic Fields
after each cycle spot flips upside down

Trailing spot follows leading spot with +ve in northern hemisphere and negative in
southern hemisphere, then polarities flip every 11yr period.
Leading spot always stays in the northern hemisphere while Trailing spot always stays in
southern hemisphere (only polarity flips after end of each solar cycle).

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Magnetic Influence

Solar Magnetic Dynamo Theory

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solar spots:
1]. size of earth
2]. come in groups
3]. lasts for couple of months
4]. 11yr solar spot cycle
5]. 22 yr magnetic cycle

Prominences
Characteristics

Eruptive and quiescent varieties

Curving loops are anchored by


differing magnetic poles

Associated with sunspots

Some last for a few hours, others


for a few months

Coronal Activity

Coronal Holes Flares

Best seen in X-rays Millions of H Bombs

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Show Coronal Hole Animations

Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections

Difference Between Flares and CMEs

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Solar-Terrestrial Interactions
Stream of charged particles, mainly
protons. The solar wind exists
because the gases in the corona are
too hot to be confined by solar
gravity. The speed of the solar wind
near the Earth’s orbit averages about
400 km/s, and its density is usually
two to ten ions per cubic centimeter.
But both are highly variable. The
solar wind’s interaction with the
Earth’s atmosphere creates aurora.

Exceptions!
Maunder Minimum

From 1645 to 1715 there were No sunspots!!!!

“Little Ice Age”

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