1. Sunspot Number (SSN) Basic Information and trends

2. Here is a graph I made that displays sunspot numbers over the years
This data was collected from this does not mean that there were not sunspots prior to this, data was just not collected for this in this particular metadata
Indicated by the legend in the top right corner
Ssn- sunspot number can be seen in blue
Dev – deviation in red

3. Basic Overview What are Sunspot Numbers?
The sunspot number is calculated how?
R=k (10g+s)
The sunspot number is calculated how? by first counting the number of sunspot groups and then the number of individual sunspots
this formula for counting sunspots gives reliable numbers even when the observing conditions are less than ideal and small spots are hard to see
the number of sunspots visible on the sun waxes and wanes with an approximate 11-year cycle.
R=k (10g+s),
R is the sunspot number;
g is the number of sunspot groups on the solar disk;
s is the total number of individual spots in all the groups;
k is a variable scaling factor (usually <1)

4. Plotting Patterns?
Notice any trends? Compare to the graph shown in previous slide.
Sunspot activity is cyclical and reaches its maximum around every 9.5 to 11 years
Peak in graphs every 10ish years
Monthly averages of the sunspot numbers show that the number of sunspots visible on the sun increases and decreases with an approximate 11-year cycle