Student Worksheet Name: ____________________________________
Date: ________________________ Period: ______

Step #1: DEFINING SOLAR CYCLES
1. Examine the sunspot data graphs. Complete the data table below.
Sunspot / Solar Cycle Graphs

2. Use your Average length of the sunspot cycle to estimate the year and month of the next sunspot maximum..
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Step #2: DEFINING THE SOLAR IRRADIANCE CYCLE

1. Examine the solar irradiance graph and complete the data table below.
SOLAR IRRADIANCE DATA http://daac.gsfc.nasa.gov/CAMPAIGN_DOCS/FTP_SITE/INT_DIS/readmes/sol_irrad.html#200
**NOTE: Each color on the graph represents data collected by a different NASA satellite. Data differences from one instrument to another over the same time period may be due to differences in calibration of the two instruments. For a more detailed description of the
data see the NASA Solar Irradiance Data Page.

2. Use the average length of solar irradiance cycle to predict the next solar irradiance maximum.
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3. Is this prediction as accurate as your sunspot maximum prediction? Why or Why not?

4. Examine the solar irradiance data shown in blue (ERB instrument, Nimbus-7 satellite)
Calculate the percent change in solar irradiance measured from irradiance maximum to irradiance minimum. (Show your work and box your answer.)

% Irradiance Change During Cycle =








Step #3: SOLAR ACTIVITY AND SOLAR IRRADIANCE CYCLES
Compare the solar activity cycle to the solar irradiance cycle and describe the relationship between them.





Step #4: SOLAR FLARES

SOLAR FLARE DEFINITION
Describe a solar flare. Include: Description, type of energy emitted, amount of energy

Solar Flare - _____________________________________________________________

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Examine the solar flare event classification web site.
SOLAR FLARE EVENT CLASSIFICATIONAnswer the questions below.

1. What type of energy emission is used to classify solar flares? ____________________

2. During what year were the most solar flares in the table? ________________________

3. Was this year near a sunspot minimum or a sunspot maximum? _________________

4. What is the relationship between solar flares and the solar activity cycle?

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Step #5: SOLAR FLARES AND SOLAR IRRADIANCE

Compare the Curve for black body at 5800 K to Solar Irradiation Curve Outside Atmosphere .

1. What wavelength has the highest photon energy? ___________________________

2. What is the relationship between wavelengeth and photon energy?

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3. At what wavelengths does solar irradiance differ the most from black body emissions?

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4. Refer to the electromagnetic spectrum and identify the types of energy at these wavelengths.

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5. Why is solar irradiation at sea level so different from irradiation outside the atmosphere?

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Step #6: WHY DO I CARE ABOUT VARIATIONS IN SOLAR IRRADIANCE AT SPECIFIC WAVELENGTHS???????

IRRADIANCE AND OZONE
How is ultraviolet radiation important in ozone formation?

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IRRADIANCE AND RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
How does increased X-Ray emissions with solar flares effect radio communications?

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IRRADIANCE AND SATELLITE DRAG
How does increased X-Ray emissions with solar flares effect “satellite drag”?

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