What are the dark spots on the Sun called?

Answer 1

For other meanings of "sunspot" see sunspot (disambiguation).

A sunspot is a region on the Sun's surface (photosphere) that is marked by a lower temperature than its surroundings and intense magnetic activity, which inhibits convection, forming areas of low surface temperature. Although they are blindingly bright at temperatures of roughly 4000-4500 K, the contrast with the surrounding material at some 5700 K leaves them clearly visible as dark spots. If they were isolated from the surrounding photosphere they would be brighter than an electric arc. As of 2006, we are near the minimum (predicted for 2007) in the sunspot cycle [1].

Similar phenomena observed on stars other than the Sun are commonly called starspots.
Active region 9393 as seen by the MDI instrument on SOHO hosted the largest sunspot group observed so far during the current solar cycle. On 30 March 2001, the sunspot area within the group spanned an area more than 13 times the entire surface of the Earth. It was the source of numerous flares and coronal mass ejections, including one of the largest flares recorded in 25 years on 2 April 2001. Caused by intense magnetic fields emerging from the interior, a sunspot appears to be dark only when contrasted against the rest of the solar surface, because it is slightly cooler than the unmarked regions.
Active region 9393 as seen by the MDI instrument on SOHO hosted the largest sunspot group observed so far during the current solar cycle. On 30 March 2001, the sunspot area within the group spanned an area more than 13 times the entire surface of the Earth. It was the source of numerous flares and coronal mass ejections, including one of the largest flares recorded in 25 years on 2 April 2001. Caused by intense magnetic fields emerging from the interior, a sunspot appears to be dark only when contrasted against the rest of the solar surface, because it is slightly cooler than the unmarked regions.

Answer 2

There are two types of phenomena that leave 'spots' on the sun.

The most common, sunspots, are the result of strong magnetic activity beneath the sun's surface. They are composed of a dark umbra and surrounded by a lighter region called the penumbra. Sunspots can be as large as the earth, and actually, a sunspot is brighter than any light on earth (it only appears darker than the surrounding solar surface).

The second and rarer phenomenon is a transit. This is when a body crosses our line of sight between our vantage point and the sun. Since our vantage point is earth, two planets (Mercury and Venus) cross the solar disk, appearing as a very pronounced dot.

Mercury transits are somewhat common (13 or 14 per century)...the next Mercury transit will occur in May 9, 2016). Venus transits are far less common (1 pair of transits per 121 years, give or take a decade) but much more spectacular. With the right protective equipment, you can actually see it as a 'little black spot in the sun' (to quote the artist Sting). The next one to occur is on June 6, 2012...you'll have to wait another 105 and 113 years to see a repeat performance!

Answer 3

Sunspots

Answer 4

Sunspots

Answer 5

simply sunspots. but those are darker regions based on the perspective of your view. since they are eruptions of material that are moving outward from the surface of the sun, and your viewing them "end-on" there is simply more material between you and the illumination source and therefore it appears darker.

Answer 6

sun spots

Answer 7

Sunspots or vortices.

Answer 8

they are called sunspots

Answer 9

sunspots

Answer 10

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