Sunspots Appear on the Sun's Surface, or the Photosphere
Observing And Understanding
SUNSPOTS
Doing Astronomy During The Day:
Sunspots Affecting Us Historically and Currently

As a class, we will safely observe the sun by projecting the solar disk onto a screen.  For each day of observation, record your observations of the sun and its sunspots on your worksheet.  Then discuss the changes you have discovered from each observation.  How fast did the sunspots seem to be moving on the solar surface?  (Is there a formula you can use to determine the speed?)  Where, with respect to the Sun's equator, are most of the sunspots occuring?

Observing The Sun's Rotation via Sunspots:
Solar Science MSFC NASA

Unlike the Earth, parts of the solar surface rotate at different rates.  The parts at the equator are going faster than the poles, rotating in 25 days.  Regions by the poles can take up to 30 days to make one rotation. This variable rotation may affect the magnetic field of the Sun, which can lead to sunspots and the solar cycle.
The corona can be seen during total solar eclipses, and is similar to the solar wind
The solar surface rotation is variable, and time of rotation increases away from the equator
The auroras are more likely during solar cycle maximums
Ideas For Projects:
These websites will help to get you going, but you are not restricted to these only.

Technology: Solar Weather and its Effects on Technology and Communications: Spaceweather.com
This website gives an interesting daily solar forecast

Physics: Differential Rotation and Sunspot Cycles:
Differential Rotation
Solar Cycle

Atmospheric Science: Solar Wind and the Aurora Borealis and Australis: Secrets Of The Polar Aurora

Plasma Physics: Solar Flares and Magnetism:
Flare Characteristics

History: The Maunder Minimum, Volcanic Eruptions, and the Mini Ice Age of 1645 to 1715:
Sun's Impact On Earth

Archeology: Failed Viking Greenland Civilization

Recent News: X3 Flare, Dec 14, 2006.
Solar Flare Disrupts Communication, Astronauts

**Projects may take the form of a paper, a powerpoint presentation, a podcast, a movie, a specialist interview, etc.  Also be prepared with your favorite website resource address (picture, movie, animation, approximately 2 min. or less) to share with and explain to the class.
According to predictions, a solar sunspot maximum is peaking in the next five years
The Earth and other planets are affected by sunspot cycle max's and min's.
Teacher Aides:
  Observing Sunspots Safely
  PDF - sunspotsTeachers.pdf
  DOC - sunspotsTeachers.doc
  Student Observations Worksheet
  PDF - sunspotsStudents.pdf
  DOC - sunspotsStudents.doc
  Additional Resource:
  Course Project Outline
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