Magnetic activity on the Sun's surface can create atmospheric events here on Earth, impacting satellites, telecommunications, power grids and other critical technologies.
These patterns of solar activity are known as space weather. Every day, space weather forecasters use technology to monitor and predict how the Sun will behave.
In this activity from the Australian Space Agency and the Bureau of Meteorology, you’ll use your scientific skills to analyse real solar data and explore how space weather impacts life on Earth.
Learning outcomes
In this activity, students will:
- Learn about the Sun’s magnetic activity and how it is monitored using space technology.
- Identify sunspot groups and use them to calculate the relative sunspot number (R).
- Collect, analyse, and represent sunspot data using a number of digital and analogue tools.
- Interpret long-term patterns in the Sun’s magnetic activity, understanding that the Sun goes
through periods of Solar Maximum and Solar Minimum. - Discuss the potential impacts of a geomagnetic storm on different areas of society.
Australian Curriculum (v9)
- Science Inquiry
- Science Understanding
- Science as a Human Endeavour
- Processes and Production Skills
- Measurement and Geometry
- Number and Algebra
- Statistics and Probability
- Geography Knowledge and Understanding
Image credit: Leon Hamilton
