Solar Flare Shakes Up the Sunspot Status Quo
A surprising twist in sunspot behavior has shaken the solar system as a recent solar flare caught the attention of scientists. Instead of conforming to the traditional pattern, sunspot AR3784…
Sunspots are temporary phenomena on the Sun’s photosphere that appear as dark spots compared to the surrounding areas. They occur in regions where magnetic field lines are particularly strong, inhibiting the convection processes that typically warm the Sun’s surface. As a result, sunspots can be cooler than their surroundings, with temperatures around 3,000 to 4,500 degrees Celsius (5,400 to 8,100 degrees Fahrenheit), compared to the surrounding solar surface temperature of about 5,500 degrees Celsius (9,932 degrees Fahrenheit).
Sunspots vary in number and size and are closely associated with the solar cycle, which lasts approximately 11 years. During periods of maximum solar activity, the number of sunspots increases significantly. Sunspots can influence solar radiation output and are often linked to solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can impact space weather and have effects on satellites and communications on Earth.
A surprising twist in sunspot behavior has shaken the solar system as a recent solar flare caught the attention of scientists. Instead of conforming to the traditional pattern, sunspot AR3784…