2007-02-05 11:54:16 · 2 answers · asked by goring 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Any time you have the motion of charged particles, like ions or plasma (atoms stripped of electrons), an electric field will result. And any time you have an electric field, their will be a magnetic field orthogonal to it. The sun has vast amounts of plasma, and sunspots are simply "storms" of cooler material that are visible at the surface. The motions of that charged material (and the convestive material surrounding spots) sets up distinct, powerful magnetic fields.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunspot
2007-02-05 12:19:57 · answer #1 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a difficult question in that there is no consensus within the scientific community on the mechanism associated with the formation of magnetic domains correlated with sun spots. The magnetic fields at the core of the sunspots prevent convection, and hence, forming areas of low surface temperature. I wish I could give you more.
2007-02-05 19:57:53 · answer #2 · answered by bozo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋