Solar - Astronomical Theory

Question 1

Astronomical Theory

Answer 1

This argues that long-term variations of earths orbital parameters are the cause of the ice age successiions during geological periods.

Question 2

Maunder Minimunm

Answer 2

A period between 1650 to 1715, associated with extremely low solar activity.

Question 3

What is believed to have caused the Maunder Minimum?

Answer 3

Very few sunspots on the sun surface, with decreased sun brightness

Question 4

Why do sunspots increase brightness?

Answer 4

UV radiation increases dramatically during high sunspot activity.

Question 5

Solar Cycle

Answer 5

An 11 year cycle of solar activity, characterised by a rise and fall in numbers and surface area of sunspots.

Question 6

Sunspots

Answer 6

Dark areas on the surface of the sun, being cooler than other parts,.

Question 7

What do more sunspots mean for atmosphere?

Answer 7

More energy and icnreasing temperatures.

Question 8

Why do sunspots increase brightness?

Answer 8

Increased darkness of sunspots mean surrounding faculae results in net increase of irradiance.

Question 9

Facula

Answer 9

Bright photosphere spots formed from concentrated magnetic field lines

Question 10

Where do facula often form?

Answer 10

Around sunspots being hotter and brighter than photosphere.

Question 11

Solar Flares

Answer 11

Explosions of energy due to magnetic field crossing/tangling NEAR sunspots.

Question 12

What are solar cycles associated with?

Answer 12

Extrem UV and Sun X-ray emissions, affecting Earths upper atmosphere.

Question 13

What characterises Solar Cycles?

Answer 13

Dynamo theory

Question 14

Dynamo Theory

Answer 14

A mechanism of which celstial bodies generate magnetic fields.

Question 15

What is dynamo theory dependent on?

Answer 15

An electrically conductive field medium
Kinetic energy by planetary motion
Internal energy soruce driving convective motions within the fluid

Question 16

Convection

Answer 16

The transfer of heat by fluid movement between areas of temperature.

Question 17

What does the interior of the sun consist of?

Answer 17

Ionised plasma and Magnetic fields.

Question 18

What does the movement of Ionised plamsa and Magnetic fields do?

Answer 18

Set up currents

Question 19

Plasma

Answer 19

Where gas has enough energy supplied to provide free electrons from atoms or molecules, allowing both species, ions and electrons, to coexist

Question 20

What causes the suns magnetic field?

Answer 20

Plasma flow churned by enormous heat by nuclear fusion

Question 21

Why are sunspots cooler/darker than their surroundings?

Answer 21

The magnetic field is so trong that convective flow is cut off.

Question 22

Shearing Forces

Answer 22

Unaligned forces pushing one part of a body in a specific direction, and another part of the body in the opposite direction.

Question 23

What two effects dictate dynamo?

Answer 23

The Omega and Alpha effects

Question 24

The Omega Effect

Answer 24

The rotation rate change as a function of lattitude and radius

Question 25

The Alpha Effect

Answer 25

Increased nucleophilicity of an atom due to presence of adjacent atoms with lone pair electrons.

Question 26

How do solar cycles most affect earths climate?

Answer 26

Total solar irradiance.

Question 27

Total Solar Irradiance

Answer 27

The integrated energy input to the top of earths atmosphere at a base mean distance from the sun.

Question 28

Thermal Inertia

Answer 28

The property of a material that expresses the degree of slowness with with its temperature reaches that of the envrionment

Question 29

Solar Convective Zone

Answer 29

The outer most layer of the solar interior.

Question 30

What is low solar forcing proportional to?

Answer 30

Thermal inertic of solar convective zone

Question 31

Milankovitch Cycles

Answer 31

Describes the various astronomical forcings that influence earths climate.

Question 32

What does earths eccentricit vary between?

Answer 32

22,1 to 24.5 derees.