Sunspots, the solar cycle and space weather

Grade 9 Science Worksheet - Challenge Me

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   SWPC sees a fast CME leave the Sun toward Earth. About how much warning can that give, by Esme's reading (NOAA)?

   • About 11 years
   • About 15 hours to a few days
   • No warning; CMEs arrive at once
   • About 8 minutes, at light speed
2. 2.

   Map of the United States with the G1 aurora line across northern Michigan and Maine. A G1 storm is forecast. One cousin lives in northern Maine, another in Florida. Who is more likely to see an aurora, by Kira's reading (NOAA)?

   • The cousin in Florida, since G1 pushes auroras south
   • Both, equally
   • The cousin in northern Maine
   • Neither; auroras need a G5 storm
3. 3.

   Milo's cousin says auroras are sunlight reflecting off Arctic ice. Which response is best (NOAA)?

   • Disagree: electrons striking gas 80 to 500 km up make them glow
   • Disagree: they are city lights on clouds
   • Agree: they are brightest at noon
   • Agree: that is why they are near the poles
4. 4.

   Noah's friend says solar maximum is when the Sun has the fewest sunspots. Which response is best?

   • Agree: the Sun is quietest at maximum
   • Disagree: maximum is the peak of sunspot activity
   • Disagree: sunspot numbers stay level through the cycle
   • Agree: maximum comes once a year

5. Read this first

   NOAA G scale

   Level	Average per 11-year cycle
   G1	1,700
   G5	4

6. 5.

   NOAA's averages are about 1,700 G1 storms and about 4 G5 storms per 11-year cycle. About how many G1 storms are there for each G5, by Pia's math?

   • About 425
   • About 1,700
   • About 0.002, since G5 storms are more common
   • About 4

7. Satellite height lost per month (model data)

   Sun	Height lost
   solar minimum	0.5 km
   solar maximum	2 km

8. 6.

   How many times faster does the satellite lose height at solar maximum than at minimum, by Ren's math?

   • It is slower at maximum
   • About 1.5 times
   • About 2 times
   • About 4 times
9. 7.

   150 million km; CME speed 750 km/s. A CME travels 150 million km at 750 km/s. About how long does it take to reach Earth, by Tala's math?

   • About 8 minutes
   • About 2.3 days
   • About 56 days
   • About 5.6 hours
10. 8.

    Map with the auroral zone near the pole and long power lines crossing it. NOAA says high-latitude power systems feel storms first. Why are long lines there affected most, by Zee's reading?

    • Storm currents overhead are strongest there, and long lines pick up more
    • It is colder there, so the wires shrink
    • Sunspots sit above the poles
    • Auroras touch the lines
11. 9.

    NOAA says fast-changing magnetic fields in sunspot groups are the likeliest sources of flares and CMEs. Which prediction fits solar maximum, by Ari's reading?

    • Fewer flares, since sunspots are hot
    • More flares and CMEs, so more space weather
    • No change; flares do not depend on sunspots
    • More flares at minimum, when spots are fewest
12. 10.

    Four lists, labeled A to D. Which list names what space weather mostly affects, by Bo's reading (NOAA)?

    • Ocean tides and waves
    • Earthquakes and volcanoes
    • Rain, snow and wind
    • Power grids, satellites, radio and GPS