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What Causes the Sun's Polarity Switch?

Each planet, star and galaxy in the universe contains a magnetic field. Magnetic polarities influence the orbits and climates of celestial bodies. When the sun's polarity changes, it affects radio, wireless and satellite communications on Earth. These polarity shifts may even cause a surge in hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Scientists think that the changes in the sun's magnetic field are part of a natural solar cycle that periodically shifts the direction of its north and south poles.

  1. Magnetic Field

    • The sun's magnetic field or dipole consists of negative and positive energy charges. These charges constantly move and interact with each other. Each particle of the sun contains a charge that moves in a specific direction. While a common gravitational force binds all these particles to each other, they move around each other according to their separate energy charges. The sun's magnetic field is similar to the Earth's. They both resemble that of a bar magnet, with one charge pointing north and one charge pointing south.

    Solar Activity

    • The sun's magnetic field is constantly active since it is a living source of solar energy. As a living star, its components move at both its center and its surface. Hydrogen gases and plasma rotate at a slower rate near the sun's magnetic poles. In contrast, these same gases tend to move at a faster pace near the sun's equator or center latitude. The differences between the rates of movement at the poles and the equator cause the magnetic field to eventually twist together.

    11-year Cycle

    • Natural movements in the sun's magnetic field cause the poles to switch approximately every 11 years. When the magnetic field begins to twist together due to different rates of movement, it weakens. Magnetic charges that once existed at the sun's equator move toward its north or south poles. Currents that were pointing toward the north end up moving to the South Pole. Likewise, magnetic currents that were pointing south end up moving toward the north.

    Solar Maximum

    • Scientists label peaks in the solar cycle as a solar maximum. This point in the solar cycle represents a heightened level of magnetic activity, including an increase in the number of sunspots. During a lull in solar activity, the sun's magnetic field contains several closed loops by its equator and open lines near the poles. An increase in the number of sunspots creates stronger magnetic loops that penetrate the sun's atmosphere. They are able to get through the sun's atmosphere since their force is a lot stronger than the sun's magnetic field.

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