A vortex of gas on the surface of the Sun associated with stray local magnetic activity
A relatively dark area of the solar surface. Sunspots appear dark because they are relatively cool; they represent regions of extremely high magnetic field. A to F | G to L | M to R | S to Z
Dark long-lived photospheric feature, typically from 2500 to 50,000 km in size. Moderate to large spots usually consist of a darker central region (umbra) and a lighter halo consisting of many short fine fibrils (penumbra). Sunspots have strong concentrated magnetic fields which tend to inhibit energy transfer from below, making them at the center about 2500 degrees K cooler than the photosphere. In the Umbra, the fields tend to be nearly vertical in orientation while in the penumbra, the magnetic fields become more horizontal.
darker and slightly cooler region on the surface of the sun, created when powerful magnetic fields stop the circulation of gases.
a dark spot on the Sun. Sunspots are cools areas with powerful magnetic fields. These magnetic fields store the energy for powerful explosions like solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
A magnetic disturbance on the Sun. It is cooler than the surrounding area and, consequently appears darker.
Occurs in the photosphere of the sun. It is a dark marking that has manifested as a result of solar magnetic activity.
A temporary concentration in the magnetic field on the sun, where convection of hot matter from the sun's interior is inhibited, resulting in a cooler, darker area on the photosphere of the sun. The average sunspot is about the same diameter as the earth. ( go to first use in the text)
A region of the solar surface which is darker than the rest of the Sun, as a result of cooling by intense magnetic fields. Sunspots usually have temperatures of 4500 to 5000 Kelvins, compared to 6000 Kelvins for the normal surface of the Sun.
Any of the relatively cool dark spots appearing periodically in groups on the surface of the sun that are associated with strong magnetic fields.
Sunspots are cool, dark patches on the Sun's surface. They are caused by disturbances in the sun's magnetic field which make the sunspot about 2700°F (1500°C) cooler than the surrounding area. Sunspots occur where the sun's magnetic field loops up out of the solar surface. The number of sunspots follows an 11-year cycle.
Dark marking visible on the Sun's surface. Although the sunspot temperature is about 4500 K, it appears dark by comparison with the brighter and hotter photospheric background.
cooler region on the Sun's surface that is a region of intense magnetic fields and is associated with solar activity. Because a sunspot is 1000 to 1500 K cooler, it is dimmer than the surrounding surface. The number of sunspots is greater when the Sun is more active.
A cooler, darker spot appearing periodically on the surface of the sun. It is associated with a strong magnetic field. A sunspot represents a comparatively cool depression. Sunspots occur in cycles of about 11 Earth-years in period and their individual duration is a matter of Earth-days only. Sunspots usually occur in pairs of opposite polarity about 30° N and S of the equator, and move in unison across the face of the Sun towards the solar equator.
a cooler darker spot appearing periodically on the sun's photosphere; associated with a strong magnetic field
a big region of the Sun which looks darker than the rest of the disk
a cooler, dark region of the sun that is magnetically disturbed
a dark area in the Sun's photosphere, or visible surface layers, that is associated with strong magnetic fields
a dark area on the Sun where the surface is a little cooler
a dark feature on the surface of the sun
a dark part of the sun's surface that is cooler than the surrounding area
a depression on the Sun's face that is slightly cooler and less luminous than the rest of the Sun
a huge 'storm' or vortex in the sun's photosphere
an area of the Sun's photosphere, appearing darker to the eye than surrounding areas of the Sun
an area of the Sun's surface that has been made a little cooler than its surroundings
a region of concentrated magnetic fields where explosions often occur
a region on the Sun 's surface ( photosphere ) that is marked by a lower temperature than its surroundings, and intense magnetic activity
a region on the surface of the sun that is temporarily cool and dark compared to surrounding regions
a dark, cooler area of the suns surface appearing as the result of changes in the suns magnetic field at that location
an intensely magnetic area on the Sun's visible face. For unclear reasons, it is slightly cooler than the surrounding photosphere (perhaps because the magnetic field somehow interferes with the outflow of solar heat in that region) and therefore appears a bit darker. Sunspots tend to be associated with violent solar outbursts of various kinds.
A temporary cool region in the solar photosphere that appears dark by contrast against the surrounding hotter photosphere.
A relatively cool dark area where magnetic fields piece the solar surface
Dark cool regions in the photosphere. Sunspots are caused by magnetic fields that inhibit the flow of energy to the sunspot regions.
A relatively cool, dark region on the Sun's surface (photosphere) which is created by the Sun's magnetic field. May occur individually or in groups. Number of sunspots increases every 11 years (see Sunspot cycle). The most recent sunspot maximum occurred in 2000.
A dark, fringed blemish on the solar surface caused by a concentration of the Sun's magnetic field. They look dark because they are cooler than the plasma surrounding them. Sunspots appear in groups and last from several hours to several months. The number of sunspots increases and decreases over an eleven-year cycle. The next peak is in 2001. Scientists think that the sunspot cycle has been going on for millions of years and that other stars also have sunspots.
A relatively cool, dark area on the surface of the Sun.
A cooler region of the Sun's photosphere (which, thus, appears dark) seen as a spot, on the Sun's disc. They are caused by concentrations of magnetic flux, typically occurring in groups or clusters. The number of sunspots varies according to the Sun's 11 year cycle. More sunspots are seen at the Maxima of solar cycles, with few being observed during the Minima between.
a dark, temporary, relatively cool spot on the surface of the sun
Areas of the Sun's surface that are cooler than surrounding areas. The usually appear black on visible light photographs of the Sun. Sunspots are usually associated disturbances in the Sun's electromagnetic field.
A magnetic storm on the the Sun's surface which appears as a dark area. A sunspot is approximately 1500 degrees Celsius cooler than it's surrounding material. The number of sunspots we see on the Sun at any given time appears to cycle every 11 years. TECTONIC ACTIVITY A shifting of an object's surface due to changes in the material underlying the surface.
Cooler, darker area on the sun’s surface thought to be caused by concentrated, contorted magnetic fields that suppress convection of hot matter from the sun’s core. (TOP OF THE PAGE) (CLOSE WINDOW)
A temporary disturbed area in the solar photosphere that appears dark because it is cooler than the surrounding areas. Sunspots consist of concentrations of strong magnetic flux. They usually occur in pairs or groups of opposite polarity that move in unison across the face of the Sun as it rotates.
A region of the solar surface that is dark and relatively cool; it has an extremely high magnetic field.
A dark area on the surface of the sun representing a cool spot, consisting of a dark central umbra surrounded by a penumbra which is intermediate in brightness between the umbra and surrounding photosphere. Sunspots have a lifetime ranging from a few days to several months.
A magnetic disturbance on the Sun that appears as a dark blotch on its surface.
A temporary cool region in the Sun's photosphere, associated with an active region, with a magnetic field intensity of a few 0.1 T (tesla).
A temporary disturbada area in the solar photosphere that appears dark because she is fresher than the environs. The sunspots consist hard of concentrations of the magnetic flux. The groups of opposite polarity happen generally in pairs or that move in unison through the face of the sun whereas broken.
An area seen as a dark spot on the photosphere of the Sun. Sunspots are concentrations of magnetic flux, typically occurring in bipolar clusters or groups. They appear dark because they are cooler than the surrounding photosphere.
Relatively cool, dark, disturbed regions on the surface (photosphere) of the Sun.
(see image of " Parts of the Sun") A temporary disturbed area in the solar photosphere that appears dark because it is cooler than the surrounding areas. Sunspots are made from strong magnetic fields. They usually occur in pairs or groups of opposite polarity that move together across the surface of the sun. Sunspots are the footprints of magnetic loops. The loops push through the surface of the Sun. The magnetic loops push or hold plasma below the surface. Because the footprint is a little cooler it appears to be darker against the bright surface. The black dot shows the approximate size of the Earth next to a massive sunspot.
Dark, cool spots which form on the surface of the Sun.
A region on the Sun's photosphere that is cooler and darker than the surrounding material. Sunspots often appear in pairs or groups with specific magnetic polarities that indicate electromagnetic origins.