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Last Post 3/19/2008 9:14 PM by Yan Li

Sun spots

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Anonymous

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3/19/2008 8:15 AM
Where are the sun spots? Julia P. (Fwms)

Christina Cohen

Basic Member

Posts:148

3/19/2008 11:09 AM
Hi Julia, The sunspots are on the surface of the Sun (the photosphere). They are regions of very strong magnetic fields. Best, Christina

Yan Li

New Member

Posts:55

3/19/2008 9:14 PM
Hi Julia, If you are looking for sunspots today, there isn't any on the Sun. The Sun is at the solar activity minimum right now. During the past year, we have had very few sunspots because of lack of regions with strong magnetic field. When the Sun gets closer to solar maximum, there will be many sunspots. Scientists use sunspot numbers to track the solar cycle. The solar cycle is about 11 years on average. The first sunspot of the current cycle appeared earlier this year (Jan 4 2008), which means we are now on the rising phase of the new solar cycle. Sunspot numbers increase with time starting from the minimum. So hopefully we will see more sunspots in the near future. Hope this helps, Yan