2007-06-14 04:47:36 · 10 answers · asked by b j g 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
When the sun is infected by acne bacteria...nah just kidding.
It is a region on the sun with a lower temperature than its surrounding surface, usually caused by magnetic fluctuations. They are detected as these spots contrast distinctly with areas of normal surface temperature.
2007-06-14 04:51:26 · answer #1 · answered by Tsumego 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A sunspot is a region on the Sun's surface (photosphere) that is marked by a lower temperature than its surroundings and has 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 about 5800 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. Sunspots are often related to intense magnetic activity such as coronal loops and reconnection.
Similar phenomena observed on stars other than the Sun are commonly called starspots.
Sunspot numbers rise and fall with an irregular cycle with a length of approximately 11 years. In addition to this, there are variations over longer periods. The recent trend is upward from 1900 to the 1960s, then somewhat downward. The Sun was last similarly active over 8,000 years ago.
The number of sunspots has been found to correlate with the intensity of solar radiation over the period - since 1979 - when satellite measurements of radiation are available. Since sunspots are dark it might be expected that more sunspots lead to less solar radiation. However, the surrounding areas are brighter and the overall effect is that more sunspots means a brighter sun. The variation is very small (of the order of 0.1%).
During the Maunder Minimum in the 17th Century there were hardly any sunspots at all. This coincides with a period of cooling known as the Little Ice Age.
2007-06-14 05:05:17 · answer #2 · answered by andrew_at241 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, this is a spot on the sun that is cooler then the rest of it.
2007-06-14 04:49:35 · answer #3 · answered by Dogna M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it s a cool spot on the sun that the magnetic Field is created
2007-06-14 11:50:18 · answer #4 · answered by Derchin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a sun spot is a spot that is slightly cooler and much darker on the sun. simple as that
2007-06-14 05:00:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a cool spot on the suns surface
2007-06-14 04:50:03 · answer #6 · answered by Samantha 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's the result of a magnetic storm which causes large amounts of Solar mass to be pulled out of place and allowed to cool ('cool' being a very relative term âº). Since the surrounding area(s) are much hotter and emit more light, the 'spot' looks black.
Sunspots, BTW, are huge. You could easily fit several hundred Earths into one of them âº
Doug
2007-06-14 04:59:01 · answer #7 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cooler area of the sun's surface.
2007-06-14 07:40:08 · answer #8 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cool area on the sun where magnetic flux lines tend to collect.
2007-06-14 04:50:25 · answer #9 · answered by Gene 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The sky is the perfect place for it.
2007-06-14 04:53:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋