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Measuring the Frequency and Period of Sunspots

Close-up of sunspots on the surface of the Sun.
Levels
  • Intermediate (6-8)
  • Advanced (9-12+)
Material Type
  • Lesson Plan
Heliophysics Big Ideas
  • Big Idea 1.2 – The Sun is active…
NGSS
  • ESS1 - Earth's Place in the Universe
  • PS4 - Waves and their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer
Heliophysics Topics
  • Space Weather
  • Sunspot
  • Solar Cycle
Heliophysics Missions
  • Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)
Material Cost per Learner Free
Language English

Analyze sunspots on NASA’s SOHO coronagraph images to make meaning of cyclical patterns using the terms period and frequency. This activity is appropriate for high school and university introductory physics and astronomy courses. It can be adapted for use in middle school.

This resource includes a Digi Kit, which is a web-based interactive lab that blends physics, geometry, and astronomy as students build and use a physical model to explore how scientists study sunspots. Access the Sunspot Science Digi Kit at https://www.compadre.org/books/?ID=66&FID=56452