SOLAR CYCLE (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)
Context: Scientists have long held the belief that the Sun's potent magnetic field, which triggers solar storms affecting Earth, originates deep within the star.
Solar Cycle
- About: It is the cycle that the Sun’s magnetic field goes through approximately every 11 years.
- Magnetic Field Generation: This charged gas moves, generating a powerful magnetic field.
o The Sun's magnetic field goes through a cycle, called the solar cycle.
o Every 11 years or so, the Sun's magnetic field completely flips.
o It takes about another 11 years for the Sun’s north and south poles to flip back again.
- Effects on Sun's Surface:
o The solar cycle affects activity on the surface of the Sun, such as sunspots caused by the Sun's magnetic fields.
o The middle of the solar cycle is the solar maximum, characterized by the most sunspots.
o As the cycle ends, it fades back to the solar minimum, signaling the start of a new cycle.
- Solar Eruptions: Giant eruptions on the Sun, like solar flares and coronal mass ejections, increase during the solar cycle.
o These eruptions send powerful bursts of energy and material into space.
- Effects on Earth: Solar activity can impact Earth, causing phenomena like auroras or affecting radio communications.
o Extreme eruptions can even disrupt electricity grids on Earth.
- Variation in Cycles: Some cycles have maximums with lots of sunspots and activity, while others have very few sunspots and little activity.
