Final answer:
The two correct descriptions of solar weather are that solar flares and sunspots increase as solar maximum approaches and the intensity of solar weather changes frequently. Solar activity peaks during the solar maximum of the 11-year solar cycle and influences conditions on Earth. So the correct options are C and D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answers regarding solar weather are:
- C. Solar flares and sunspots increase as solar maximum approaches.
- D. The intensity of solar weather changes frequently.
Solar weather refers to the conditions on the Sun, including phenomena like sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections. These features are associated with intense magnetic activity and are most numerous and intense during the solar maximum, which is the period of greatest solar activity in the 11-year solar cycle. Conversely, during solar minimum, there are fewer sunspots and less solar flare activity.
The intensity of solar weather is far from constant; it varies over the course of the solar cycle, influencing conditions in space and potentially having effects on Earth, such as geomagnetic storms that can disrupt communications and power systems. Furthermore, while the total solar irradiance changes are minor, the variation in the Sun's ultraviolet radiation can be significant, affecting the Earth's upper atmosphere and potentially influencing weather patterns and ozone layer dynamics.