Sunspots
Abstract
Sunspots are the sites of strong magnetic fields at the surface of the Sun. They are visible as features that appear dark because they are cooler than the surrounding SOLAR PHOTOSPHERE, owing to partial suppression of convective energy transport by the magnetic field. Sunspots are distinguished from SUNSPOT PORES by having a filamentary SUNSPOT PENUMBRA surrounding a dark SUNSPOT UMBRA. Their dia...
- Publication:
-
Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- November 2000
- DOI:
- 10.1888/0333750888/2050
- Bibcode:
- 2000eaa..bookE2050W
- Keywords:
-
- Sun;
- Solar Activity