How does the solar cycle affect climate?

The Sun’s irradiance has its greatest effect on Earth’s upper atmosphere, while the lower atmosphere insulates Earth from the increased heat. If the Sun were driving Earth’s warming, one would expect to see that upper atmosphere getting increasingly hot.

Why is the solar cycle 22 years long?

The Sun emits significantly more radiation than usual in the X-ray and ultraviolet portions of the electromagnetic spectrum during solar max, and this extra energy significantly alters the uppermost layers of Earth’s atmosphere. The 11-year sunspot cycle is actually half of a longer, 22-year cycle of solar activity.

What happens during a solar minimum?

Solar minimum is the period of least solar activity in the 11-year solar cycle of the Sun. During this time, sunspot and solar flare activity diminishes, and often does not occur for days at a time.

What happens during a solar maximum?

During solar maximum, large numbers of sunspots appear, and the solar irradiance output grows by about 0.07\%. At solar maximum, the Sun’s magnetic field lines are the most distorted due to the magnetic field on the solar equator rotating at a slightly faster pace than at the solar poles.

Why do sunspots increase temperature?

This means that more sunspots deliver more energy to the atmosphere, so that global temperatures should rise. According to current theory, sunspots occur in pairs as magnetic disturbances in the convective plasma near the Sun’s surface. Magnetic field lines emerge from one sunspot and re-enter at the other spot.

How does solar weather affect Earth?

Solar flares and CMEs send enormous amounts of energy and charged particles hurtling into collision with the Earth’s upper atmosphere, where they can cause geomagnetic storms. Charged particles during geomagnetic storms cause disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field, generating effects on electrical systems.

What happens every 11 years on the Sun?

The Short Answer: The Sun’s magnetic field goes through a cycle, called the solar cycle. Every 11 years or so, the Sun’s magnetic field completely flips. This means that the Sun’s north and south poles switch places. Then it takes about another 11 years for the Sun’s north and south poles to flip back again.

Do sunspots affect weather?

If sunspots are active, more solar flares will result creating an increase in geomagnetic storm activity for Earth. Therefore during sunspot maximums, the Earth will see an increase in the Northern and Southern Lights and a possible disruption in radio transmissions and power grids.

How do sunspots affect the weather?