2007-12-20 08:21:04 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Mainly the activity level of the sun; the more sun spots the more active and warmer the sun is. There are more magnetic fluxes and a higher chance of the ejection of solar particles.
According to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunspots
"A sunspot is a region on the Sun's surface (photosphere) that is marked by a lower temperature than its surroundings and has intense magnetic activity, which inhibits convection, forming areas of low surface temperature. Although they are blindingly bright at temperatures of roughly 4000-4500 K, the contrast with the surrounding material at about 5800 K leaves them clearly visible as dark spots. If they were isolated from the surrounding photosphere they would be brighter than an electric arc."
Sunspots are cooler areas of the sun, but because they increase convection they actually increase the sun's temperature.
The sun has an 11 year cycle of activity and seems to be entering a more active phase. Sunspot activity has a greatest effect on satellite and shortwave radio communication, but in extreme cases it can cause a strong enough solar flare that it can interfere with the electrical grid; such as the cause for the Great Black Out of the North East.
2007-12-20 08:25:59 · answer #1 · answered by Dan S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just to add to the previous good answer, we are at present entering cycle 24 of the sun’s 11 year sunspot cycle – that is, the 24th cycle since records began.
Interestingly enough, the intensity of this cycle (maximums in about 2011-2012) may settle the argument about how much effect these slight differences in solar intensity have on global warming.
If cycle 24 is lower intensity and global warming stalls (in fact there has been no global warming since 2000, even though CO2 has continued to increase) there will be a lot of egg on Al Gore’s ugly face.
Have a look at:
http://www.solarcycle24.com/
A really good site for monitoring solar activity with some great animations of sunspot activity.
If you are really interested, keep your eye on this site over the next 5-6 years. Global warming may be a thing of the past.
2007-12-20 08:49:54 · answer #2 · answered by nick s 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sunspots not only show temperature variations on the sun, they also point to different patterns of the Sun's magnetic field, which is very complex.
2007-12-20 08:24:52 · answer #3 · answered by North_Star 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋