<p> A Data Study of the Sunspot Cycle A Data Study of the Sunspot Cycle</p><p>The nature and causes of the sunspot cycle constitute The nature and causes of the sunspot cycle constitute one of the great mysteries of solar astronomy. While we one of the great mysteries of solar astronomy. While we now know many details about the sunspot cycle, we are now know many details about the sunspot cycle, we are still unable to produce a model that will allow us to still unable to produce a model that will allow us to reliably predict future sunspot numbers using basic reliably predict future sunspot numbers using basic physical principles. physical principles. A) So…look at Graph # 1 A) So…look at Graph # 1 1) What does it tell you about the sunspot cycle that is 1) What does it tell you about the sunspot cycle that is happening on the sun? happening on the sun? B) Look at Graph # 2 B) Look at Graph # 2 2) Describe the relationships that exist between the top 2) Describe the relationships that exist between the top and bottom graph. and bottom graph. 3) What does the top graph tell you about sunspots and 3) What does the top graph tell you about sunspots and the sun? the sun? C) Look at Graph # 3 C) Look at Graph # 3 4) Where are we in the current sunspot cycle? 4) Where are we in the current sunspot cycle? 5) What would you predict to see happening in solar 5) What would you predict to see happening in solar behavior over the next few years? behavior over the next few years? D) Look at Graph # 4 D) Look at Graph # 4 6) What anomaly took place in the data on this graph? 6) What anomaly took place in the data on this graph? 7) What was the Maunder Minimum and how did it 7) What was the Maunder Minimum and how did it affect the earth? affect the earth?</p><p>8) What do you know now…that you didn’t know before… 8) What do you know now…that you didn’t know before… that you want to remember tomorrow about what you that you want to remember tomorrow about what you know today…about sunspots? know today…about sunspots?</p>