原文视听

So why did the Sun's spots disappear for 50-odd years?
那太阳黑子为什么会消失五十几年呢
To answer that question,
为了回答这个问题
Mike had to go back even further in time,
迈克还得回到更早的时间
back before the beginning of civilisation.
回到文明诞生之前
One of the best places to
若想了解
get that long view of the history of the Sun
太阳的漫长历史 最好的一个地方
is in ice.
就是在冰里
He and his fellow scientists analysed ice cores
他和其他科学家分析冰芯
because they contain a signature
因为其上记录了
of what's been happening to the Sun over thousands of years.
太阳数千年来的活动
We can core into that effectively look back in time.
我们可以取出冰芯有效地追溯到过去
Roughly speaking, there are 20 to 30 grand maxima
大致上 我们可以看到在九千年间
and grand minima in the 9,000 years that we can look at.
有二三十个太阳活动极大和极小期
So what the ice showed
冰芯显示的结果
was something nobody could have predicted.
出乎人们意料
The Sun had a secret rhythm.
太阳有一个秘密的周期

重点解释

We can core into that effectively look back in time.我们可以取出冰芯有效地追溯到过去

look back 回顾； 回头看

I still shudder when I look back on the past.

想起过去，我仍然不寒而粟。

She can look back on her career with great satisfaction.

她回顾自己的经历觉得心满意足。

in time到底，究竟，适时

We'd better look lively if we're to finish in time.

我们要按时完成，动作就得快

In time you'll grow to like him.

到时候你会喜欢他的。

Mike had to go back even further in time,迈克还得回到更早的时间

go back回去

The children have to go back to school next week.

下周孩子们要返校了。

How far does your memory go back?

你能回忆起多久以前的事情？