Name_______________________________Class:_______________ Date________

Earth Science- Ms. Gill Sunspot Graphing Lab

Introduction: Sunspots are darker, cooler areas on the surface of the sun in a region called the
photosphere. The photosphere has a temperature of 5,800 degrees Kelvin. Sunspots have
temperatures of about 3,800 degrees K. They look dark only in comparison with the brighter
and hotter regions of the photosphere around them. Sunspots can be very large, up to 50,000
kilometers in diameter. They are caused by interactions with the Sun's magnetic field. A
sunspot is somewhat like the cap on a soda bottle: shake it up, and you can generate a big
eruption. Sunspots occur over regions of intense magnetic activity, and when that energy is
released, solar flares and big storms called coronal mass ejections erupt from sunspots.

Vocabulary:
Cyclic change:_____________________________________________________________
Extrapolate:______________________________________________________________
Sunspot maxima: _________________________________________________________
Sunspot minima :_________________________________________________________
Coronal Mass Ejection: ____________________________________________________
Maunder minimum:________________________________________________________
Little Ice Age:___________________________________________________________
Solar Storm:_____________________________________________________________

Procedure:
1. Construct a graph on page 3 to represent the sunspot data 1908-Present using the data
on page 2. Follow these guidelines:
A. Give your graph a title
B. Neatly label the X-axis and the Y-axis and choose an appropriate scale.
C. Use a PENCIL and a ruler to connect each point as you plot.
D. After you completed the graph, highlight each maximum in pink and each minimum in
blue.
E. Complete the KEY
F. Examine the pattern
2. Answer the Graph Analysis and the Discussion Questions
3. Type up the 3 Paragraph conclusion

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(Fig. 1) Sunspot Data 1908-2007

(Fig. 2) Sunspot Data 2008-present (http://www.ips.gov.au/Solar/1/6)

Year J F M A M J J A S O N D Year
avg
2008 3.4 2.1 9.3 2.9 2.9 3.1 0.5 0.5 1.1 2.9 4.1 0.8
2009 1.5 1.4 0.7 1.2 2.9 2.6 3.5 0.0 4.2 4.6 4.2 10.6
2010 13.1 18.6 15.4 7.9 8.8 13.5 16.1 19.6 25.2 23.5 21.6 14.5
2011 19.0 29.4 56.2 54.4 41.6 37.0 43.9 50.6 78.0 88.0 96.7 73.0
2012 58.3 33.1 64.2 55.2 69.0 64.5 66.5 63.1 61.5 53.3 61.4 40.8
2013 62.9 38.0 57.9 72.4 78.7 52.5 57.0 66.0 36.9 85.6 77.6 90.3
2014 82.0 102.8 92.2 84.7 75.2 71.0 72.5 74.7

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KEY:

Maxima

Minima

Extrapolation
Graph Analysis:
1. Using the graph that you constructed, name the years in which the ten maximas occurred
throughout the last 100 years.

2. Using the graph that you constructed, name the years in which the ten minimas occurred
throughout the last 100 years.

3. Calculate the average number of years that occurred between each maximas: _________
4. Calculate the average number of years that occurred between each minimas: _________

Discussion Questions:
1. When will the next maxima occur? __________________ Defend your
answer:_____________________________________________________________
2. When will the next minima occur? __________________ Defend your
answer:_____________________________________________________________
3. Explain how a cyclic graph helped you arrive at your answers for 1 and 2.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
4. Extrapolate on the graph up until the year 2024. (In other words continue the graph by
making a predication based on the observed pattern of previous data) Hint: Use your
predictions above to help you.
5. Highlight the extrapolated line with blue highlighter. How many sunspots will there be
during the year you graduate? ______________ Will it be maxima or minima or in the
middle? _____________________

Conclusion: (Type up on a separate sheet)

Paragraph 1: Explain how cyclic events help us to predict future events. Identify at least 4
other cyclic events.
Paragraph 2: Using the internet, explain how sunspots may be related to climate. Include
sources immediately following each idea/graphic! ***Hint- there are clues in the vocabulary
You must include at least 2 graphs and explain how they are related.
Paragraph 3: Read the article here about how two Giant Solar Storms recently affected Earth.
http://www.vox.com/2014/9/12/6140209/the-earths-getting-hit-with-two-modest-solar-
storms-next-time-we-may
Use the article to answer this question: Why is it important to study and understand the sun?
Provide evidence from the article to support your conclusion.