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Name: __________________________________________ Period: ____________ Sunspot Investigation Directions: 1. Read and annotate the introduction. a. Number paragraphs b. Underline definitions of key terms (in bold) c. Highlight main ideas 2. Answer the Pre-lab questions 3. Read and follow the procedure. 4. Collect your data. 5. Graph the results 6. Answer the post lab questions. Background: It is never safe to look directly at the sun because this can cause blindness. However, when viewed through a telescope features of the sun become visible and can be studied. People have been observing and keeping records of features called sunspots for hundreds of years. In 1612, Galileo proved there were pots on the Sun. He used a telescope to look at the sun. At the time, telescopes (and other optics) were very recent innovations and were allowing scientists such as Galileo to discover new aspects of our planet and space. Galileo’s discovery was highly controversial at the time because the spots he found were viewed as imperfections. Many of his 17th century colleagues did not believe the Sun could be imperfect. Sunspots have a dark central region surrounded by a somewhat lighter region. The dark area is slightly cooler than the surrounding area. This cool area is likely related to a strong magnetic field around the sunspot. Sunspots typically last anywhere from a few days to a few months. When the Sun has fewer sunspots, it gives off less energy. This results in less energy making its way to Earth, and our planet cools. Over time, scientists have noticed a pattern in the number of sunspots. About every 11 years the number of sunspots reaches a high and then decreases again. This is known as a Solar Cycle. Other sorts of solar activity are related to this cycle as well, such as solar flares, which tend to occur in areas of the Sun near sunspots. The year 2011 was a solar maximum, making 2006 and 2015 the closest solar minimums. Figure 1. Sunspots taken by the NASA’s SOHO spacecraft in March (panel A) and July 2005 (panels B-D). In panel A, notice the dot representing the size of the Earth for comparison. Pre-lab Questions: 1. The graph on the precious page shows the activity of sunspots from 1620 to 1660, around Galileo’s life time. The graph shows the eleven year solar cycle. In what years were the solar maximums the most intense (i.e. when were there the most sun spots)? 2. Look at the images in Figure 1. Why might the might the number of sun spots vary over time? 3. Was 2005 close to a solar minimum or solar maximum? ____________________ 4. How would you expect the sun to look in 2015? Procedure: Part 1: 1. The data below indicates the average number of sunspot for each year between 1970 and 2004. Graph this data on the graph provided. 2. Indicate the periods of solar minimums and solar maximums. 3. Answer the lab questions for this section. YEAR ---------Number of Sunspots YEAR -----------Number of Sunspots Lab Questions: 1. What year were you born? Were there many sunspots during the year you were born? 2. Make predictions: Will there be many or few sunspots during the year you Graduate from high school? __________________________________ Turn 21? _________________________________________________ Have your 10 year high school reunion? ________________________ Part 2: 1. Examine the graph below. 2. Indicate times of solar maximums and solar minimums on the graph. 3. Answer the lab questions for this section. Lab Questions: 1. How long did the Maunder Minimum, the shaded area, last? ________________ 2. Based off you knowledge of solar activity was there more or less energy reaching the Earth during the Maunder Minimum? 3. What was the climate like during the Maunder minimum? Explain your reasoning.