Sun Spots: Everything You Need to Know

Sunspots are interesting phenomena that happen to our sun and many other stars.

They are basically planet-sized spots in the sun that are caused by disturbances in the sun’s magnetic field, and later on, cause that spot to become cooler. This would make the sun look like it has a darker spot on it.

Let’s dive into more detail here.

What are Sunspots?

Sunspots are black, planet-sized patches seen on the Sun. Because they are cooler than their surroundings, sunspots are darker. A large sunspot's center temperature might be as low as 4,000K, far lower than the sun's average temperature.

Sunspots are merely black in comparison to the Sun's radiant surface. It would be about as luminous as a full moon if you could cut the sunspot out of the Sun and place it somewhere in the night sky.

Why Sunspots Happen

Disturbances in the Sun's magnetic field cause sunspots. Active zones on the Sun are created by the powerful magnetic fields near sunspots, which frequently spawn disruptions such as solar flares.

Sunspots form over a period of a few days to weeks, and they can stay for months before fading. The average number of spots visible on the Sun's face does not remain constant throughout time but fluctuates on a multi-year cycle. However, there are around 10 spots typically.

Sunspots have an 11-year cycle in which they increase and decline. We've had 23 full solar cycles since 1749, in which the number of sunspots has gone from a minimum to a maximum and back to a minimum during around 11-year cycles. The 24th cycle is currently well established.

Who Discovered Sunspots

The Chinese I Ching, written about 800 BC, contains the first record of sunspots. Dou and mei were seen in the sun, according to the text, and both phrases mean a tiny obscuration. Based on comments by astronomer Gan De in a star catalog, the first record of a purposeful sunspot sighting also comes from China, and dates to 364 BC.

Sunspot observations were frequently recorded in official imperial records by 28 BC, according to Chinese scientists. Theophrastus, a student of Aristotle and Plato and predecessor to the latter, made the first distinct mention of a sunspot in literary works around 300 BC.

Final Words

In conclusion, sun spots are spots that appear in the sun. They were discovered thousands of years ago, and they can increase the number of solar flares, which can have indirect effects on people on Earth.

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