Final answer:
Changes in the Sun's magnetic dynamo are observable through the number of sunspots, which fluctuate according to the solar cycle. Sunspots are manifestations of the Sun's internal magnetic activity, generated by the dynamo effect spurred by the movement of ionized gases.
Step-by-step explanation:
One way to observe changes in the overall magnetic dynamo of the Sun is through the number of sunspots on the Sun. Sunspots are associated with the Sun's magnetic field and their occurrence is an indicator of solar activity. Observing sunspots is not just a matter of watching spots on the Sun's surface; it involves understanding how these spots correspond to the complex mechanisms driving the Sun's magnetic cycle. The Sun's magnetic fields grow and decay in cycles, typically over a period of about 11 years, and the appearance and number of sunspots fluctuate accordingly.
The solar cycle can also be analyzed through differential rotation and convection patterns, which reveal the characteristics of the Sun's interior dynamo. The turbulent churning of ionized gases inside the Sun generates electrical currents, leading to the creation of magnetic fields. The sunspots we observe are actually manifestations of the intense magnetic activity that occurs beneath the solar surface.