Solar Cycle, Solar Flares, Sunspots & Magnetic Fields

THE LAST CUENTISTA STEM EXTENSION

SUNNY WEATHER
SUNSPOTS, SOLAR FLARES & SOLAR WIND

In Chapter 2 of The Last Cuentista,
we learn it was a solar flare that
knocked Halley’s Comet off course,
propelling “Fire Snake” straight
toward Earth.

Could something like this really
happen? In this lesson, we’ll explore
whether the possibility is
science fiction or science fact.

Fire Snake’s Dangerous New Path

Poll

What do you think? Could a solar flare actually knock Halley's Comet into Earth?

• Yes

• No

• Maybe?

It’s Not Always Sunny on the Sun

Weather Isn’t Just for Planets!

The sun, like any star, is a huge ball of electrically-charged
hot gas –– and this gas doesn’t stay still. It moves!

As the sun’s gases move
around, they generate a
magnetic field.

Think of a magnetic field as an invisible force field that surrounds a magnet, represented by the arrows in this image. The lines always go from one end of the magnet to the other.

Magnetic Fields

Magnetic Fields on the Sun

The diagram here shows how the sun’s magnetic field lines go from north to south (red) or south to north (blue).  

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Spoiler alert: they don’t stay put!

When you bring a magnet close to a metal object, like the screws in the video, the magnetic field of the magnet reaches out and pulls the screws closer.

Magnetic Force

Magnets can also push (repel) each other away. This happens when the same ends (both “north” ends or both “south” ends) of each magnet face one another.

Dropdown

The ​

Select answer

is a huge ball of electrically-charged

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that ​

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.

Dropdown

The ​

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this diagram show(s) ​

Select answer

magnetic field.

When weather is calm on the sun, it’s called a
season of low activity, or solar minimum.

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When things heat up, it’s called a season of high activity, or solar maximum.

Solar Minimum & Maximum

Watch this video to see the seasonal differences.

What the Flip?

Check out the model in this video to see how the
transformation works. The pink lines represent magnetic
waves from the sun’s north pole and the green are from
the south pole.

During each solar cycle, the sun’s magnetic field “flips.” In other words, its north-south lines trade places with the
south-north ones.

Multiple Choice

What is the SOLAR CYCLE?

• A cycle where the sun’s magnetic field changes.

• A setting on solar-powered washing machines or dishwashers.

• A setting in a weather tracking app.

• A cycle where Alpha Centauri and Proxima Centauri trade places.

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When the sun cycles into a season of ​

Select answer

it's got a lot going on. During seasons of ​​solar minimums, the sun​

Select answer

.

As the sun’s magnetic fields tangle up, they cause sunspots.

Sunspots

Sunspots are areas of the sun where electromagnetic activity is super intense. This video shows how sunspots form.

When the sunspots’
magnetic fields get super twisted up, they release a huge burst of energy in the form of electromagnetic
waves called radiation.

Solar Flares

These big explosions on the sun are called solar flares.
Watch the video to see how they work.

When the Sun Goes Boom!

Multiple Select

Sunspots are .... (choose 2)

• A sign of iron deficiency in the sun.

• Spots on the sun where electromagnetic activity is super intense.

• Areas on the sun where solar flares burst out.

• Similar to the Big Dipper but in the Yucatan.

Solar Wind

Not all solar weather is as explosive or destructive as solar flares, which only occur during the solar maximum. 

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The sun also emits a continuous stream of charged particles that drift through the solar system throughout the solar cycle.

The constant movement of these particles through space is called the solar wind.

The Northern & Southern Lights

Molecules in the polar skies give off the new energy as colors
called the aurora.

When solar wind blows particles into Earth’s atmosphere, our planet's own magnetic field guides the sun dust to the poles.

In the south, the phenomenon is called the aurora
australis. Watch the video to see the show.

Lightshow Time

(or maybe Windshow Time?)

The colors in the northern skies are called the aurora borealis.

Dropdown

Solar wind blows ​

Select answer

​ the solar cycle. ​

Select answer

are the stuff solar wind blows through the solar system. When this stuff reaches Earth, our planet's atmosphere sends it to ​

Select answer

​ where it turns into ​

Select answer

.

Multiple Choice

What is the scientific phenomenon in the picture called?

• the aurora borealis

• the aurora australis

• It would depend on where the photographer was standing

• Verdant magnetism

Scientists have observed the strongest solar flares (called X Class flares) damaging power grids on Earth, and warn that rough sun weather can increase radiation exposure for astronauts and high-altitude flyers.

Who's on Flare Watch?

But NASA sky-watchers say the risk of a solar flare knocking Halley’s Comet into Earth is non-existent. Check out the video to see what scientists are doing to protect Earth from any dangerous sunny weather.

​Solar flares are science facts, but the disaster that kicks off The Last Cuentista is solid science fiction. Go ahead and cross that off your list of things to worry about.

Science Fact or Science Fiction?

Multiple Choice

How concerned should earthlings be about the possibility of a solar flare knocking Halley's Comet our way?

• not very

• a little

• A lot

• Get me off this planet!