EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The solar cycle is driven by the sun’s magnetic field, according to NASA Space Place (opens in new tab). Every 11 years or so, the sun’s magnetic field flips so north becomes south and south becomes north. Changes in the sun’s magnetic field affect the amount of activity on the solar surface.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Sun’s magnetic field goes through a cycle, called the solar cycle. Every 11 years or so, the Sun’s magnetic field completely flips. This means that the Sun’s north and south poles switch places. Then it takes about another 11 years for the Sun’s north and south poles to flip back again.

Detailed explanation-3: -Every 11 years, the Sun’s poles swap places; south becomes north and north becomes south. It’s not clear what drives these cycles, but we do know that the poles switch during solar maximum, when the magnetic field is at its weakest at the poles.

Detailed explanation-4: -The 11-year sunspot cycle is actually half of a longer, 22-year cycle of solar activity During this period, sunspot counts reach maximum and minimum twice.