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Last Post 10/16/2007 1:42 PM by Dawn Myers

Sunspots

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10/16/2007 9:29 AM
Ashly W How come sunspots are never too far either above or below the sun's equator?

Dawn Myers

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10/16/2007 1:42 PM
Hello Ashley Sunspots appear in what is described as a butterfly pattern. This pattern coincides with the 11 year solar activity cycle. So not only do the number of sunspots change but their locations do as well. They migrate from about 35 degrees north and south latitude towards the equator. Since we are approaching the end of our cycle, the sunspots are currently appearing closer to the equator. The reason for this migration is not clearly understood. Here is an article from national geographic that discusses this http://news.nationalgeogr...050205_sunspots.html