Sunspots
Solar Cycle








 *  Dark areas on the sun


 *  Are cooler than surrounding photosphere

 *  11 year cycle of solar activity

*  
Solar Minimum:
           time of least sunspots and solar activity

 *  Areas of strong magnetic fields

 *  Solar Maximum:
           time of most sunspots and solar activity
 *  Usually appear in pairs or groups

     *  One being of positive polarity
          the other of negative polarity


 *  Every Solar cycle the polarity of the sun flips

     * This makes a 22 year cycle


*  Observed in the middle latitudes
     i.e. not found directly at the poles of the equator


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