What is a Solar Cycle?

About Solar Cycle:

• Our Sun is a huge ball of electrically charged hot gas.
• This charged gas moves, generating a powerful magnetic field.
• 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.
• Thus, the solar cycle is the cycle that the Sun’s magnetic field goes through approximately every 11 years.
• The solar cycle affects activity on the surface of the Sun, such as sunspots,which are caused by the Sun's magnetic fields.
• As the magnetic fields change, so does the amount of activity on the Sun's surface.
• One way to track the solar cycle is by counting the number of sunspots.
  • The beginning of a solar cycle is a solar minimum, or when the Sun has the least sunspots.
  • Over time, solar activity—and the number of sunspots—increases.
  • The middle of the solar cycle is the solar maximum, or when the Sun has the most sunspots.
  • As the cycle ends, it fades back to the solar minimum, and then a new cycle begins.
• Giant eruptions on the Sun, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, also increase during the solar cycle.
  • These eruptions send powerful bursts of energy and material into space.
  • This activity can have effects on Earth. For example, eruptions can cause lights in the sky, called aurora, or impact radio communications.
  • Extreme eruptions can even affect electricity grids on Earth.