What is a sunspot? What causes it?
2006-09-05 13:41:13 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Other - Social Science
A sunspot is caused when that area is cooler than the surrounding areas. I believe it is caused by magnetic forces on the sun which does not convey the heat to the surface.
2006-09-05 13:52:41 · answer #1 · answered by worldneverchanges 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A sunspot is a dark, 'cool' area that appears on the photosphere of the sun. Sunspots always appear in pairs and are intense magnetic fields (about 5,000 times greater than the Earth's magnetic field) that break through the surface. Sunspot activity occurs as part of an 11-year cycle called the solar cycle where there are periods of maximum and minimum activity; we are currently in a solar maximum time.
It is not known what causes this 11-year cycle, but two hypotheses have been proposed:
1) Uneven rotation of the sun distorts and twists magnetic field lines in the interior. The twisted field lines break through the surface forming sunspot pairs. Eventually, the field lines break apart and sunspot activity decreases. The cycle starts again.
2) Huge tubes of gas circle the sun's interior at high latitudes and begin to move toward the equator. When they roll against each other, they form spots. When they reach the equator, they break up and sunspots decline.
2006-09-05 20:50:59 · answer #2 · answered by Andy S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a relatively cool spot on the surface of the sun.
2006-09-05 20:54:26 · answer #3 · answered by Xtreemist 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
isnt it just like a brown spot. and you get it from being out in the sun too much without wearing sunscreen.
2006-09-05 20:48:36 · answer #4 · answered by ConfusedChick 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I believe that the best person to answer this question would be Bob Seger.
2006-09-05 20:44:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋