Sunspots

Sunspots are temporary phenomena on the Sun's photosphere that appear as dark spots compared to surrounding regions. They are caused by interactions with the Sun's magnetic field and are associated with intense magnetic activity. Sunspots are cooler than the surrounding areas and appear darker as a result.

Cause of Sunspots

Sunspots are caused by the Sun's magnetic activity. The Sun's magnetic field is generated by the motion of molten iron and nickel in its outer core. This magnetic activity can result in the formation of sunspots when the magnetic field lines become twisted and loop back on themselves, inhibiting the normal convection process that brings hot plasma to the surface.

Characteristics of Sunspots

Sunspots appear dark because they are cooler than the surrounding areas, with temperatures around 3,500°C (6,330°F) compared to about 5,500°C (9,932°F) for the surrounding regions. They can vary in size and shape, and often occur in pairs or groups. Sunspots can persist for days or weeks before dissipating.

Study Guide

1. What causes sunspots?
2. What are the characteristics of sunspots?
3. How are sunspots related to the Sun's magnetic activity?
4. What is the temperature of sunspots compared to the surrounding regions?

For further study, you can explore the impact of sunspots on space weather, their connection to solar flares and coronal mass ejections, and their influence on Earth's climate and communication systems.