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Explain the concept of Sun-spot cycle with special reference to solar minimum.
Explain the changes that it brings on sun’s surface during solar minimum.
Discuss the effects of solar minimum on earth.
Answer:
Sun-spot cycle is the solar magnetic activity cycle with the average time period of eleven years. It refers to changes in the Sun’s activity (including changes in the levels of solar radiation and ejection of solar material) and appearance (changes in the number and size of sunspots, flares, and other manifestations).
Sun Spot Cycle:
Sun-spots are regions where the solar magnetic field is very strong.
The number of sunspots observed on the “surface” of the Sun varies from year to year.
This rise and fall in sunspot counts varies in a cyclical way is called “the Sunspot Cycle”.
Solar minimum is the period of least solar activity in the eleven year solar cycle.
During this time, sunspot and solar flare activity diminishes. According to NASA and other agencies, a solar minimum is about to occur in 2019-20.
Changes on sun’s surface due to solar minimum:
• Intense activity such as sunspots and solar flares subside during the solar minimum
• The sun does not become dull, rather the solar activity simply changes form.
• During the solar minimum, coronal holes can last for a longer time. Coronal holes are vast regions in the sun’s atmosphere where the sun’s magnetic field opens up and allows streams of solar particles to escape the sun as the fast solar wind.
Effects of solar minimum on earth:
• It could enhance the effects of space weather events including geomagnetic storms, auroras, potentially disrupting communications and navigation systems.
• During the solar minimum, upper atmosphere cools down, which reduces the frictional drag in the low Earth orbit. Without the normal drag, the space debris has the tendency to hang around longer or to fall back to Earth.
• It could enhance the effect of space weather events including geomagnetic storms, auroras and potentially disturbing power supply, satellites, communications and navigation systems.
• The sun’s magnetic field weakens and provides less shielding from cosmic rays. This can pose an increased threat to astronauts travelling through space.
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Please review.
Hi Sahithya
Break the intro into two paragraphs after you have explained the sun spot cycle.
Use subheadings in each paragraph.
The content of the answer is very detailed and well explained.
The parts are covered in comprehensive manner.
Just try to break the paragraphs into smaller ones to make the presentation better.
Your language is quite good.
Q1
Hi Sourav
Good use of diagram
The 1st part of the answer is good.
But what are the effects of “solar minimum” on Earth Surface?
You discussed effects of solar maximum which was not asked in the question.
Effects of solar minimum on earth:
• It could enhance the effects of space weather events including geomagnetic storms, auroras, potentially disrupting communications and navigation systems.
• During the solar minimum, upper atmosphere cools down, which reduces the frictional drag in the low Earth orbit. Without the normal drag, the space debris has the tendency to hang around longer or to fall back to Earth.
• It could enhance the effect of space weather events including geomagnetic storms, auroras and potentially disturbing power supply, satellites, communications and navigation systems.
• The sun’s magnetic field weakens and provides less shielding from cosmic rays. This can pose an increased threat to astronauts travelling through space.
Good conclusion.
MOJO9803C00N96073071
Hi Ashraf
Decent attempt.
The answer has all the parts covered in holistic manner.
Points are well explained and detailed.
Better conclusion was needed.
Otherwise well attempted answer.
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Hi Balakumaran
Good intro.
Use subheadings for each discussion.
Highlight the changes that Solar Minimum brings on the sun’s surface.
That should be your 1st part of the answer.
In the 2nd part, you can add points like:
• During the solar minimum, upper atmosphere cools down, which reduces the frictional drag in the low Earth orbit. Without the normal drag, the space debris has the tendency to hang around longer or to fall back to Earth.
• It could enhance the effect of space weather events including geomagnetic storms, auroras and potentially disturbing power supply, satellites, communications and navigation systems.
• The sun’s magnetic field weakens and provides less shielding from cosmic rays. This can pose an increased threat to astronauts travelling through space.
Very good conclusion.
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Hi Amandeep
Well structured answer.
Apt points, specially in the 2nd part.
The 2nd part needs more depth.
Work on your conclusion.
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Hi Kanchan
Better structure is needed.
Your points are good.
But they are not structured in decent manner.
Explain the concept of Sun-spot cycle with special reference to solar minimum with more details.
Use diagram in geography related questions.
Explain the changes that it brings on sun’s surface during solar minimum separately than your discussion on Earth’s surface.
Both discussions should have distinct separation.
Give proper conclusion.
Points are good in the answer.
Q1
Well discussed answer.
Points are exhaustive but seems that they are used from the answer. Do use them but use your own language.
Structure of the answer is quite good.
Nothing wrong in the answer.
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