Investigating the Effects of the Solar Cycle

MILESTONE 5, STEPPING STONE 1

About this Stepping stone:

In this stepping stone, we will look at how the solar cycle might effect the weather or other events on Earth. Then develop a scientific question and hypothesis.

SKILLS DEFINED:

SCI 1.1 Ask a Scientific Question

SCI 1.2 Formulate a Hypothesis

SCI 1.3 Define and Analyze Variables

To Do:

Read the resources above to learn about how the Sun's cycle may affect us on Earth.
Consider the Data you could gather on spaceweather.com or nasa.org, which might show a cause effect correlation.
Open a Google Doc and begin formatting it for your final lab investigation.
Write a scientific question that is testable, specific and leads to a good hypothesis.
Write your hypothesis and identify the variables.

RESOURCES TO EXPLORE:

What Are Solar Cycles, and How Do They Affect Weather?Solar cycle definition, current solar cycle, and how solar cycles affect the weather.

FAQ: How Does the Solar Cycle Affect Earth's Climate?NASA.gov brings you the latest images, videos and news from America's space agency. Get the latest updates on NASA missions, watch NASA TV live, and learn about our quest to reveal the unknown and benefit all humankind.

How Does Solar Activity Affect Weather?

The Sun affects both weather and technology (which we’re increasingly dependent on) here on Earth. For example:

GPS, satellites, and other high-tech systems in space can be affected by an active Sun. Some of these systems are not protected by Earth’s atmospheric layers, so large solar flares have the potential to cause billions of dollars in damage to the world’s high-tech infrastructure—from GPS navigation to power grids to air travel to financial services.
Radiation hazards for astronauts can be caused by a quiet Sun. Weak solar winds allow more galactic cosmic rays into the inner solar system. Even airline pilots and crew can get a higher dose of radiation during solar storms.
Weather on Earth can also be affected. According to Bob Berman, astronomer for The Old Farmer’s Almanac, NOAA scientists have now concluded that four factors determine global temperatures: carbon dioxide levels, volcanic eruptions, Pacific El Niño pattern, and the Sun’s activity.
Global climate change, including long-term periods of global cold, rainfall, drought, and other weather shifts, may also be influenced by solar cycle activity.