Sunspots(RI.6.4)

Sunspots(RI.6.4)

Learning Target: I can use context clues to determine the meaning of words and phrases.​

Excerpt from The Outline of Science: “Sunspots”

by J. Arthur Thomson

​paragraph 1

It is in the brilliant photosphere¹ that the dark areas known as sunspots appear. Some of these dark spots—they are dark only by contrast with the photosphere surrounding them—are of enormous size, covering many thousands of square miles of surface. What they are we cannot positively say. They look like great cavities in the sun’s surface. Some think they are giant whirlpools. Certainly they seem to be great whirling streams of glowing gases with vapors above them and immense upward and downward currents within them. Around the edges of the sunspots rise great tongues of flame.

¹photosphere: the bright visible surface of the sun

Multiple Choice

(1)What is the meaning of the phrase “tongues of flame” in the first paragraph?

• burning red spots

• hot vapor currents

• hot spots on the sun

• areas that look like fire

Excerpt from The Outline of Science: “Sunspots”

by J. Arthur Thomson

​paragraph 1

It is in the brilliant photosphere¹ that the dark areas known as sunspots appear. Some of these dark spots—they are dark only by contrast with the photosphere surrounding them—are of enormous size, covering many thousands of square miles of surface. What they are we cannot positively say. They look like great cavities in the sun’s surface. Some think they are giant whirlpools. Certainly they seem to be great whirling streams of glowing gases with vapors above them and immense upward and downward currents within them. Around the edges of the sunspots rise great tongues of flame.

¹photosphere: the bright visible surface of the sun

Multiple Choice

(3)Which phrase states the meaning of “cannot positively say” in the first paragraph?

• unable to be definite

• barely able to explain

• barely able to understand

• unable to make a comment

Excerpt from The Outline of Science: “Sunspots”

by J. Arthur Thomson

​paragraph 1

It is in the brilliant photosphere¹ that the dark areas known as sunspots appear. Some of these dark spots—they are dark only by contrast with the photosphere surrounding them—are of enormous size, covering many thousands of square miles of surface. What they are we cannot positively say. They look like great cavities in the sun’s surface. Some think they are giant whirlpools. Certainly they seem to be great whirling streams of glowing gases with vapors above them and immense upward and downward currents within them. Around the edges of the sunspots rise great tongues of flame.

¹photosphere: the bright visible surface of the sun

Multiple Choice

(5)What is the meaning of the phrase “whirling streams” in the first paragraph?

• elements moving in and out

• elements moving with varied speeds

• elements moving in a circular motion

• elements moving up and down like tides

​"Sunspots" paragraph 2

Perhaps the most popularly known fact about sunspots is that they are somehow connected with what we call magnetic storms on Earth. These magnetic storms cause interruptions of our telegraphic and telephonic communications, violent disturbances of the mariner’s compass, and exceptional auroral displays.² The connection between the two sets of phenomena cannot be doubted, even although at times there may be a great spot on the sun without any corresponding “magnetic storm” effects on the Earth.

²auroral displays: natural light displays consisting of arches of light appearing in the upper atmosphere of a planet’s magnetic polar regions

Multiple Choice

(4)Which word can replace phenomena in paragraph 2 of the text?

• colors

• events

• gases

• storms

​"Sunspots" paragraph 3

A surprising fact about sunspots is that they show definite periodic variations³ in number. The best-defined period is one of about eleven years. During this period the spots increase to a maximum number and then diminish to a minimum, with the variation between them being more or less regular. Now this can only mean one thing. To be periodic, the spots must have some deep-seated connection with the fundamental facts of the sun’s structure and activities. Looked at from this point of view their importance becomes great.

³variations: changes in the form, position, condition, or amount of something

Poll

If a sunspot on the sun's surface were visible on Earth today, how old will you be the next time it will be visible on Earth?

• 21 or younger

• 22

• 23

• 24 or older

​"Sunspots" paragraph 4

The aurora borealis, thought to be caused by the effects of sunspots, is one of the most beautiful spectacles in the sky. The colors and shape change every instant; sometimes a fan-like cluster of rays, at other times long golden draperies gliding one over the other. Blue, green, yellow, red, and white combine to give a glorious display of color. The theory of its origin is still, in part, unknown, but there can be no doubt that the aurora is related to the magnetic phenomena of the Earth and therefore is connected with the electrical influence of the sun.

auroral displays: natural light displays consisting of arches of light appearing in the upper atmosphere of a planet’s magnetic polar regions

Multiple Choice

(2)What is the meaning of “aurora borealis” in paragraph 4?

• bright stars appearing in the sky

• a smaller sun appearing in the sky

• mysterious lights appearing in the sky

• a reflection of the sun appearing in the sky

​"Sunspots" paragraph 5

It is from the study of sunspots that we have learned that the sun’s surface does not appear to rotate all at the same speed. The “equatorial” regions are rotating quicker than regions farther north or south. A point forty-five degrees from the equator seems to take about two and one-half days longer to complete one rotation than a point on the equator. This, of course, confirms our belief that the sun cannot be a solid body.

Excerpt from The Outline of Science, Vol. 1 (of 4) by J. Arthur Thomson. Project Gutenberg, 2007. www.gutenberg.org/files/20417 (07/12/2013).

Open Ended

Name one thing you found interesting or would like to know more about regarding sunspots after reading this text.