Space Weather History Presentation

A graph shows sunspot numbers plotted vertically versus years from 2014 to 2024, listed horizontally. A purple line follows the data and forms a wave shape with one peak around 2014 and another peak appearing to form in late 2024. A red line continues past the plotted data into the future, showing a peak in 2025.

An interactive graph of sunspot numbers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center reveals the up-and-down pattern of sunspot numbers all the way to the beginning of solar cycle 1 in the 1750s.

NOAA SWPC

Levels	Introductory (K-5)
Material Type	Presentation/Lecture
Heliophysics Big Ideas	Big Idea 1.2 – The Sun is active…
NGSS	PS1 - Matter and its Interactions ESS2 - Earth's Systems ESS1 - Earth's Place in the Universe
Heliophysics Topics	Sunspot Space Weather Solar Flare Geomagnetic Storm Aurora Magnetic Field Radio Blackout
Material Cost per Learner	Free
Language	English

In this 41-slide presentation, you'll journey through the evolution of space weather research from ancient Egyptian observations to modern scientific understanding.

This slide deck traces the fascinating history of humanity's relationship with space weather phenomena across millennia. Beginning with early observations by ancient Egyptian astronomers and progressing through key historical discoveries, the presentation chronicles how our understanding of solar-terrestrial connections has developed over time. The 41 slides showcase important milestones, influential scientists, technological breakthroughs, and the gradual emergence of space weather as a formal scientific discipline in the modern era.

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