Dark Spots, Strong Magnetism
Sunspots look dark because strong magnetic fields block convective heat from rising efficiently. That leaves them slightly cooler than the surrounding photosphere.Sunspots and Solar Cycles: The Sun’s Magnetic Mood
The Sun Has a Rhythm
The number and size of sunspots rise and fall in a quasi-periodic 11-year cycle. As the cycle builds, sunspots tend to appear closer and closer to the equator.Sunspots and Solar Cycles: The Sun’s Magnetic Mood
