At present, sunspots are no longer such a mysterious phenomenon as, for example, in the middle of the last millennium. Every inhabitant of our planet is aware that on the main source of heat and light there are small darkenings that are difficult to see without special devices. But not everyone knows the fact that they lead to solar flares, which can greatly affect the Earth's magnetic field.
Definition
In simple terms, sunspots are dark patches that form on the surface of the Sun. It is a mistake to believe that they do not emit bright light, but compared to the rest of the photosphere, they are indeed much darker. Their main characteristic is low temperature. Thus, sunspots on the Sun are cooler by about 1500 Kelvin than other areas surrounding them. In fact, they are the very areas through which magnetic fields come to the surface. Thanks to this phenomenon, we can talk about such a process as magnetic activity. Accordingly, if there are few spots, then thisis called a calm period, and when there are a lot of them, then such a period will be called active. During the latter, the Sun's glow is slightly brighter due to the torches and flocculi located around the dark areas.
Study
The observation of sunspots has been going on for a long time, its roots go back to the era before our era. So, Theophrastus Aquinas back in the 4th century BC. e. mentioned their existence in his works. The first sketch of darkening on the surface of the main star was discovered in 1128, it belongs to John Worcester. In addition, in the ancient Russian works of the XIV century, black solar blotches are mentioned. Science quickly began to study them in the 1600s. Most scientists of that period adhered to the version that sunspots are planets moving around the axis of the Sun. But after the invention of the telescope by Galileo, this myth was dispelled. He was the first to discover that spots are integral to the solar structure itself. This event gave rise to a powerful wave of research and observations that have not stopped ever since. Modern study is amazing in its scope. For 400 years, progress in this area has become tangible, and now the Belgian Royal Observatory is counting the number of sunspots, but the disclosure of all facets of this cosmic phenomenon is still ongoing.
Appearance
Even at school, children are told about the existence of a magnetic field, but usually they mentiononly the poloidal component. But the theory of sunspots also involves the study of a toroidal element, of course, we are already talking about the magnetic field of the Sun. Near the Earth, it cannot be calculated, since it does not appear on the surface. Another situation is with the heavenly body. Under certain conditions, the magnetic tube floats out through the photosphere. As you guessed, this ejection causes sunspots to form on the surface. Most often this happens in bulk, which is why the most common clusters of spots.
Properties
On average, the temperature of the Sun reaches 6000 K, while at spots it is about 4000 K. However, this does not prevent them from still producing a powerful amount of light. Sunspots and active regions, that is, groups of sunspots, have different lifetimes. The first live from a couple of days to several weeks. But the latter are much more tenacious and can remain in the photosphere for months. As for the structure of each individual spot, it seems to be complicated. Its central part is called the shadow, which outwardly looks monophonic. In turn, it is surrounded by penumbra, which is distinguished by its variability. As a result of the contact of a cold plasma and a magnetic one, fluctuations of matter are noticeable on it. The sizes of sunspots, as well as their number in groups, can be very diverse.
Cycles of solar activity
Everyone knows that the solaractivity is constantly changing. This provision led to the emergence of the concept of an 11-year cycle. Sunspots, their appearance and number are very closely related to this phenomenon. However, this question remains controversial, since one cycle can vary from 9 to 14 years, and the level of activity changes relentlessly from century to century. Thus, there may be periods of calm, when spots are practically absent for more than one year. But the opposite can also happen, when their numbers are considered abnormal. Previously, the countdown of the beginning of the cycle began from the moment of minimum solar activity. But with the advent of improved technologies, the calculation is carried out from the moment when the polarity of the spots changes. Data on past solar activities are available for study, but they are unlikely to be the most reliable assistant in predicting the future, because the nature of the Sun is very unpredictable.
Planetary Impact
It's no secret that magnetic phenomena on the Sun interact closely with our daily lives. The Earth is constantly exposed to attacks of various irritants from the outside. From their destructive effects, the planet is protected by the magnetosphere and atmosphere. But, unfortunately, they are not able to resist him completely. Thus, satellites can be disabled, radio communications are disrupted, and astronauts are exposed to increased danger. In addition, radiation affects climate change and even human appearance. There is such a thing as sun spots on the body,appearing under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.
This issue has not yet been properly studied, as well as the impact of sunspots on people's daily lives. Another phenomenon that depends on magnetic disturbances is the northern lights. Magnetic storms have become one of the most famous consequences of solar activity. They represent another external field around the Earth, which is parallel to the constant. Modern scientists even associate increased mortality, as well as exacerbation of diseases of the cardiovascular system with the appearance of this same magnetic field. And among the people, this even gradually began to turn into superstition.
