Sun

The Sun is our main source of light and warmth. It is the driving force behind the world's weather. We are all aware that a cloudy day is usually colder than a sunny one, and that nighttime is almost always colder than daytime. It is likely then that changes in the amount of energy coming from the Sun could well affect the Earth's climate.

Scientists do know of changes in the Sun. The Sun is often covered in sunspots, but the number of them changes all the time. Every 11 years or so, the number of sunspots reaches a maximum. Changes in the amount of energy coming from the Sun are associated with this sunspot cycle, but it is not clear whether this is enough to change climate. It is possible however, that changes in the Sun can partly explain the rise in the Earth's surface temperature during the 20^th century, which most people have though has been due to man-made pollution.

Climate Change

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