Science Lab HW-Sunspots

Lab Report for Lab #4: How did Galileo go blind? Or, It’s the Data, Stupid!

1. Go to the following URL and look for data that could support or falsify the above hypothesis statement. http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/home.html Click on the link titled “The Sun Now”.

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2. Identify the observed features and compare their locations.

OPTIONAL Part 3: Using the images available identify and describe the following features:

a. sunspot

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b. prominence

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c. flare

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Answer the following questions:

d. In which images are sunspots most easily seen?

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e. Why?

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f. Why are sunspots dark?

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4. Do the data you’ve found support the hypothesis that these phenomena are all related to magnetic anomalies?

a. In every case where there is a sunspot, is there a magnetic anomaly?

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b. In every case where there is sunspot, is there a flare?

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c. Are coronal mass ejections only associated with sunspots?

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5. Describe how the Sun’s magnetic field causes these phenomena you observe.

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OPTIONAL Part 6: Write up your results in a report. Describe the data you used in this experiment and include any images you can (be sure to name the source for each image). Explain your method of analysis and your conclusions.

OPTIONAL Extension Part 7: Explore the NASA websites to learn more about how the magnetic field causes sunspots, flares and coronal mass ejections. Learn how these phenomena effect Earth (i.e., aurora borealis, radio static). Include this information in your final paper. Another good website is www.spaceweather.com where some of this information can be found by following one of the many links on the left-hand side or bottom of the web page.