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We're not sure why, but when there are very few sunspots during the 11-year "sunspot cycle", or when that cycle slows down, we experience colder than usual weather here on Earth.

We've only been tracking sunspots for about 400 years; before then, nobody knew to look for them, or were able to. The sunspot cycle which began last year is Cycle 24. There have been two extended periods of few or no sunspots; one was the Maunder Minimum, from 1645 to 1715, and the Dalton Minimum, from 1790 to 1830. The Maunder Minimum coincides with a period known as the "Little Ice Age", and during the Dalton Minimum the recorded temperatures were perhaps 2-3 degrees below normal.

Periods of increased sunspot activities appear to be associated with slightly higher than normal temperatures.

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Furman Metz

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3y ago

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Blemish on the surface of the sun?

Sunspots are cooler areas on the sun's surface that appear darker due to intense magnetic activity. These sunspots can vary in size and can last from a few days to a few weeks before disappearing. Sunspots are typically associated with increased solar activity and can impact space weather on Earth.


What are dark patches on suns surface?

Dark patches on the sun's surface, known as sunspots, are areas of reduced temperature caused by magnetic activity inhibiting heat transfer. They are temporary phenomena that appear darker than their surroundings due to their cooler temperatures. Sunspots are associated with increased solar activity and can impact Earth's space weather.


The phenomena occurring on the surface of the sun?

The phenomena occurring on the surface of the sun include sunspots, solar flares, and solar prominences. Sunspots are dark areas on the surface caused by magnetic activity, while solar flares are sudden releases of energy. Solar prominences are large loops of plasma extending from the sun's surface into its outer atmosphere.


Sunspots are regions of?

magnetic activity on the sun's surface that appear darker than their surroundings due to their lower temperature. They are temporary phenomena that occur in cycles and can affect space weather on Earth.


What kind of storms are sunspots?

A sunspot is a region on the Sun's surface that is marked by intense magnetic activity, which inhibits convection, forming areas of reduced surface temperature. See link for further information

Related Questions

Is the movement of sunspots caused by the spinning of earth on its axis?

No, sunspots are caused by the Sun's magnetic field becoming twisted and concentrated in certain areas. This magnetic activity on the Sun's surface leads to sunspots, not the spinning of the Earth on its axis.


Blemish on the surface of the sun?

Sunspots are cooler areas on the sun's surface that appear darker due to intense magnetic activity. These sunspots can vary in size and can last from a few days to a few weeks before disappearing. Sunspots are typically associated with increased solar activity and can impact space weather on Earth.


Do sunspots warm up the earth?

Although solar activity is associated with sunspots, there is no associated increase in solar output. Historically sunspot activity waxed and waned on an 11 year cycle, which maps to no identifiable earthly weather pattern of matching period.


What are dark patches on suns surface?

Dark patches on the sun's surface, known as sunspots, are areas of reduced temperature caused by magnetic activity inhibiting heat transfer. They are temporary phenomena that appear darker than their surroundings due to their cooler temperatures. Sunspots are associated with increased solar activity and can impact Earth's space weather.


The phenomena occurring on the surface of the sun?

The phenomena occurring on the surface of the sun include sunspots, solar flares, and solar prominences. Sunspots are dark areas on the surface caused by magnetic activity, while solar flares are sudden releases of energy. Solar prominences are large loops of plasma extending from the sun's surface into its outer atmosphere.


Sunspots are regions of?

magnetic activity on the sun's surface that appear darker than their surroundings due to their lower temperature. They are temporary phenomena that occur in cycles and can affect space weather on Earth.


What kind of storms are sunspots?

A sunspot is a region on the Sun's surface that is marked by intense magnetic activity, which inhibits convection, forming areas of reduced surface temperature. See link for further information


How Do Sunspots Affect Climate?

Sunspots are darker, cooler regions on the Sun's surface associated with strong magnetic fields. Changes in sunspot activity can impact the amount of solar radiation reaching Earth, which in turn can affect our climate. Higher sunspot activity can lead to increased solar radiation, potentially contributing to warming of the Earth's surface, while lower activity can have the opposite effect.


Could the number of sunspots affect the amount of volcanic activity on earth?

Highly unlikely.


What do sunspots do?

Sunspots are areas of cooler and darker regions on the Sun's surface that indicate intense magnetic activity. They are associated with solar flares, which are sudden and intense bursts of energy that can release harmful radiation and impact Earth's magnetic field. Monitoring sunspots helps scientists understand solar activity and its potential effects on our planet.


What is the purpose of sunspots?

Sunspots are caused by magnetic activity on the surface of the sun. These are usually temporary and are viewed as dark compared to the areas surrounding the spot. These spots may emit solar flares that affect the solar system by sending out radiation from the Sun.


Climate change on earth is thought to be affected by what solar phenomena?

Solar phenomena such as solar flares and sunspots can impact climate change on Earth by influencing the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's atmosphere. Changes in solar activity can affect the Earth's temperature and climate patterns. Additionally, variations in the sun's energy output can have a long-term impact on the planet's climate.