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Sunspots are most common during a sunspot (solar magnetic) maximum, this occurs periodically, on an 11 year cycle.
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Did changes in numder of sunspots affect earth in the distant past?
Yes, changes in sunspot activity can indirectly affect Earth's climate through variations in the amount of solar radiation reaching our planet. In the past, periods of low sunspot activity, such as the Maunder Minimum in the 17th century, have coincided with colder temperatures on Earth, while periods of high sunspot activity have shown a slight warming trend.
What event in is linked to decreasing sunspots?
The Maunder Minimum, a period from about 1645 to 1715 during which sunspots were notably scarce, is linked to a decrease in sunspots. This event is associated with a cooler climate period known as the "Little Ice Age."
How do sunspots promineneces flares and CMEs effects earth?
Sunspots can lead to increased solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Solar flares can disrupt radio communications and satellite operations on Earth, while CMEs can cause geomagnetic storms that may impact power grids and disrupt satellite navigation systems. Additionally, solar prominences can release solar material into space, potentially affecting Earth's magnetosphere and causing auroras.
What do some scientists say about the relationship between sunspots and the Earth's temperature?
According to current theory, sunspots occur in pairs as magnetic disturbances in the convective plasma near the Sun's surface. Magnetic field lines emerge from one sunspot and re-enter at the other spot. Also, there are more sunspots during periods of increased magnetic activity. At that time more highly charged particles are emitted from the solar surface, and the Sun emits more UV and visible radiation. Direct measurements are uncertain.
Includes prominence's and solar flares?
We're not sure, although this is a matter of intense study. We know that there is a correlation between low sunspot numbers and low solar activity, and we know that there is a correlation between high numbers of sunspots and high solar activity. We're pretty sure that one doesn't cause the other, but that both are caused by some other factor of which we are not yet aware. There have been two recorded periods in the last few hundred years during which there was a long spell of lower-than-normal sunspot activity, and these are named for the astronomers who noted them. These were called the "Maunder Minimum" and the "Dalton Minimum", and each was followed by a period of unusually cool weather. Here also, we're not sure what the relationship is, or if it was just coincidental. If you would like to see the current sunspot number and a photo of the Sun today, visit spaceweather.com at the link below.
What is a sunspot minimum?
A sunspot minimum is a period in the solar cycle when the Sun has fewer sunspots than usual. This is part of an 11-year cycle of solar activity, where the Sun goes through periods of high and low sunspot activity. During a sunspot minimum, the Sun appears quieter with less magnetic activity on its surface.
Sunspots are most numerous in the sun in solar maximum or solar minimum?
Sunspots are most numerous during solar maximum, which occurs approximately every 11 years. During solar minimum, the sun is less active and sunspot activity decreases.
How might the earth be affected by the activity of sunspots on the suns surface?
We're not sure why, but when there are very few sunspots during the 11-year "sunspot cycle", or when that cycle slows down, we experience colder than usual weather here on Earth. We've only been tracking sunspots for about 400 years; before then, nobody knew to look for them, or were able to. The sunspot cycle which began last year is Cycle 24. There have been two extended periods of few or no sunspots; one was the Maunder Minimum, from 1645 to 1715, and the Dalton Minimum, from 1790 to 1830. The Maunder Minimum coincides with a period known as the "Little Ice Age", and during the Dalton Minimum the recorded temperatures were perhaps 2-3 degrees below normal. Periods of increased sunspot activities appear to be associated with slightly higher than normal temperatures.
How might the earth be affected by the activity of the sunspots on the sun's surface?
We're not sure why, but when there are very few sunspots during the 11-year "sunspot cycle", or when that cycle slows down, we experience colder than usual weather here on Earth. We've only been tracking sunspots for about 400 years; before then, nobody knew to look for them, or were able to. The sunspot cycle which began last year is Cycle 24. There have been two extended periods of few or no sunspots; one was the Maunder Minimum, from 1645 to 1715, and the Dalton Minimum, from 1790 to 1830. The Maunder Minimum coincides with a period known as the "Little Ice Age", and during the Dalton Minimum the recorded temperatures were perhaps 2-3 degrees below normal. Periods of increased sunspot activities appear to be associated with slightly higher than normal temperatures.
How might earth be affected by the activity of sunspots on on the suns surface?
We're not sure why, but when there are very few sunspots during the 11-year "sunspot cycle", or when that cycle slows down, we experience colder than usual weather here on Earth. We've only been tracking sunspots for about 400 years; before then, nobody knew to look for them, or were able to. The sunspot cycle which began last year is Cycle 24. There have been two extended periods of few or no sunspots; one was the Maunder Minimum, from 1645 to 1715, and the Dalton Minimum, from 1790 to 1830. The Maunder Minimum coincides with a period known as the "Little Ice Age", and during the Dalton Minimum the recorded temperatures were perhaps 2-3 degrees below normal. Periods of increased sunspot activities appear to be associated with slightly higher than normal temperatures.
How might Earth be affected by the activity of sunspots on the surface of the sun?
We're not sure why, but when there are very few sunspots during the 11-year "sunspot cycle", or when that cycle slows down, we experience colder than usual weather here on Earth. We've only been tracking sunspots for about 400 years; before then, nobody knew to look for them, or were able to. The sunspot cycle which began last year is Cycle 24. There have been two extended periods of few or no sunspots; one was the Maunder Minimum, from 1645 to 1715, and the Dalton Minimum, from 1790 to 1830. The Maunder Minimum coincides with a period known as the "Little Ice Age", and during the Dalton Minimum the recorded temperatures were perhaps 2-3 degrees below normal. Periods of increased sunspot activities appear to be associated with slightly higher than normal temperatures.
Do solar eruptions have a pattern?
Yes. There is a cycle about 11 years long from the "Solar Minimum" to the "Solar Maximum" to the "Solar Minimum" again. During the minimums, there are few sunspots and not many big flares and eruptions. In 2008, for example, there were 300 days with ZERO sunspots. Today (January 28, 2009) the sunspot number is 11, but for the last week it has been 0. In 5 years or so, we expect the Sun to be very speckled, with sunspot numbers of 300 or more.
Where were the greatest number of sunspots from 1700 to 1800?
The greatest number of sunspots during the period of 1700 to 1800 occurred during the mid-18th century, around the 1760s. This period is known as the "Maunder Minimum," where sunspot activity was very low for an extended period of time.
How much sunspots are there on the sun during the peak of the sunspot cycle?
At a minimum, there are no sunspots at all, and the Sun can remain spotless for months at a time. In 2009, for example, there were 260 spotless days. In 2008, there had been 200 spotless days - by September! This last solar minimum lasted for about 18 months longer than is "normal", whatever "normal" is. Since December 2009, the Sun has slowly become more and more active, with at least a few sunspots visible almost every day since then. The Solar Maximum in 2004 was QUITE active; the Sun looked freckled!
Do sunspot regions exist today that could be a source of solar storms?
Yes, new sunspots form all the time during solar maxima.
Greatest number of sunspots from 1700 to 1800?
The greatest number of sunspots during the period from 1700 to 1800 was observed around the year 1778. The peak sunspot activity during this time is known as the "Maunder Maximum," a period of high solar activity.
Did changes in numder of sunspots affect earth in the distant past?
Yes, changes in sunspot activity can indirectly affect Earth's climate through variations in the amount of solar radiation reaching our planet. In the past, periods of low sunspot activity, such as the Maunder Minimum in the 17th century, have coincided with colder temperatures on Earth, while periods of high sunspot activity have shown a slight warming trend.
