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The Sun's Ever Changing Magnetic Field
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The Sun's global magnetic field changes with the 11 year solar cycle. During periods of high activity the Sun's overall magnetic field is closed, meaning that the fields start and end on the Sun. During solar minimum, the global field shrinks and opens up at the poles making it look like that of a bar magnet.
The Sun is near the minimum of the solar cycle and its global magnetic field now resembles that of a bar magnet. It will remain this way for several years to come until after
the next solar cycle begins.
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(Prepared by Patricia Jibben)
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