Sun with sunspots over four days
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Sun with sunspots over four days
Sun with sunspots over four days, from 2nd to 5th April 2006. Sunspots are dark regions on the surface of the Sun. They are seen moving from left to right due to the rotation of the Sun. They appear dark as they are cooler than the surrounding solar surface, although this is only an effect of contrast: they are still extremely bright in real terms. They are cooler due to the presence of tangled magnetic fields in the convective layer of the Sun, which usually brings hot plasma to the surface. The magnetic fields inhibit the convection, thus making the area cooler. Sunspots vary in frequency on an 11 year cycle, and 2006 was close to the solar minimum, or quietest part of the cycle
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Media ID 6446299
© DETLEV VAN RAVENSWAAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
2006 April Astrophysical Astrophysics Circle Circular Period Quartet Rotating Rotation Round Solar Solar System Star Sun Spot Minimum
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the Sun with its mesmerizing sunspots over a span of four days, from 2nd to 5th April 2006. These dark regions on the surface of our star are known as sunspots and can be seen moving from left to right due to the Sun's rotation. Despite their apparent darkness, they are still incredibly bright in reality, appearing cooler only because of the contrast against the surrounding solar surface. Sunspots owe their coolness to tangled magnetic fields present in the convective layer of the Sun. Normally, this layer brings hot plasma to the surface through convection, but these magnetic fields inhibit such movement and create a cooling effect instead. This phenomenon adds an intriguing dynamic to our understanding of our nearest star. The frequency of sunspots varies on an 11-year cycle, and during this period in 2006, we were close to experiencing a solar minimum—the quietest phase within that cycle. The circular arrangement of these sunspots showcases both their beauty and scientific significance. As we delve into astrophysics and explore celestial bodies like our Sun, images like this provide valuable insights into its behavior and evolution. This stunning quartet reminds us of how interconnected we are with space and serves as a reminder that there is so much more beyond what meets the eye in our vast universe.
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