How are the Sun’s magnetic field and its activity cycle related?

Question

Leah Angelini · Accepted Answer

Through sunspots that are centers of high magnetic field, that have 11 year cycles.

In the Sun, the flows of hot plasma in the convection zone create the solar magnetic field. This is sustained by nuclear fusion in the Sun. Sunspots are regions of very strong magnetic field that are perceptible on the Sun's surface or photo-sphere. The number of sunspots on the sun increase and decrease over time in a regular, approximately 11-year cycle, which is, in fact the solar magnetic activity cycle.

Joseph Allen · Answer

undefined There is a close relationship between the magnetic field and activity cycle of the Sun. The activity cycle, also called the solar cycle, lasts approximately 11 years and is characterized by variations in solar activity, including the number of sunspots and solar flares. The variations are caused by changes in the magnetic field of the Sun, which completely reverses itself once every solar cycle. The solar cycle is believed to be caused by the dynamo mechanism, in which magnetic fields are generated and amplified by the interaction between the Sun's plasma and its magnetic field.