12) Sunspots

Question 1

Why are these in news ?

Answer 1

A massive Sunspot group was observed on the Sun’s surface from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)

Question 2

What are Sunspots ?

Answer 2

1) Area on the sun that appears relatively Darker

2) Also relatively cooler than the surrounding

Question 3

Why is it relatively cool ?

Answer 3

Because they form at areas where Magnetic fields are particularly strong. These fields are so strong that they keep some of the heat within the Sun from reaching the surface

Question 4

What is a solar cycle ?

Answer 4

It is a cycle that the Suns magnetic field goes through approximately every 11yrs
Greatest number of sunspots in any solar cycle – Solar maximum
Lowest number of sunspots in any solar cycle – Solar minimum

Question 5

What are solar flares ?

Answer 5

The magnetic field lines near sunspots often tangle and reorganize. This can cause a sudden explosion of energy called Solar flares
These relaease a lot of radiation in space. It can also interfere with our radio communications

Question 6

What is Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) ?

Answer 6

These are huge bubbles of radiation and particles from the Sun. They explode into space at very high speed when Sun’s magnetic lines suddenly reorganize