Astronomy 1021 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Sunspot, Miasma Theory, Aurora

• School: Western University
• Department: Astronomy
• Course: Astronomy 1021
• Professor: Sarah Gallagher

Document Summary

What causes sunspots: recalls the solar spectrum: outside a sun spot we see a single spectral line, but the string magnetic field inside a sunspot splits that into three, so a strong magnetic filed! Role of magnetic field: line close together indicate a strong magnetic field. Charged particles follow spiralling paths along magnetic field lines. Charged particles =e-, p+ and he+2 nuclei. A few days to reach the earth. The number of sunspots varies in an 11 year cycle. Can be measured by sunspot number and location. Temperature and density drop from core to photosphere. So called maunder minimum" during the little ice age" in na and europe. Solar flares can damage satellites, disrupt power grids and cause the aurora. But also disruptions to radio communications, electrical power and electronic components. Different colours of auroras correspond to different transitions of elements in the atmosphere. Oxygen is typically green and red" blue and purple is typically nitrogen.