Context:
A study based on more than 100 years of solar data from the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory has provided new clues about how the Sun’s surface patterns respond to its 11-year solar activity cycle. The findings may help improve future solar cycle prediction.
Explanation:
- The Sun is a star whose energy is produced through nuclear fusion in its core.
- This energy is transported through outer layers partly by convection, similar to boiling water.
- Convection creates surface patterns called granulation and larger structures called supergranulation.
- Supergranules are large convection cells on the solar surface, with sizes of about 30,000 km and lifetimes of about 24 hours.
- The Sun follows an approximately 11-year solar cycle, marked by changes in sunspots, magnetic activity and solar radiation.
- Higher solar activity can increase solar flares, coronal mass ejections and space weather events.
- Space weather can affect satellites, GPS, communication systems, power grids and astronauts.
- The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory has one of India’s oldest continuous solar data records.
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