![]() Solar Activity
The output of the Sun in all forms, light, solar wind, and energetic particles, is not constant. It varies with both time (seconds to centuries!) and position on the Sun. These changes are called solar activity and are probably reflections of changes below the Sun's surface. Scientists can study the output and how it varies to probe the workings of the Sun.
The Sun's energy output takes two main forms: electromagnetic radiation and the emission of charged particles. The charged particles that carry a portion of the Sun's energy include both the relatively low-energy plasma of the solar wind and high-energy particles which have been accelerated to velocities near the speed of light. Solar activity produces space weather that affects Earth.
Types of solar activity include:
Sunspots
Even more about solar activity:
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Last modified: January 9, 2009
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