SCIENCE

Captured sunspots: what they are and what influence they have on Earth's climate

Sun spots were seen on the surface of the Sun, captured from Salgotarjan, Hungary.

The darker regions on the solar surface are caused by concentrations of magnetic flux. The phenomenon of the Sun's increased magnetic activity could affect the Earth's magnetic field and could interfere with the operations of satellites and terrestrial power grids. 

Currently, there is still debate among scientists as to whether or not sunspots could affect the Earth's climate.

ANSA
Sunspot images
Sun spots were seen on the surface of the Sun, captured from Salgotarjan, Hungary. The darker regions on the solar surface are caused by concentrations of magnetic flux.
ANSA
Their influence on the earth's magnetic field
The phenomenon of the Sun's increased magnetic activity could affect the Earth's magnetic field and could interfere with the operations of satellites and terrestrial power grids. Currently, there is still debate among scientists as to whether or not sunspots could affect the Earth's climate.
ANSA
What are sunspots
Sunspots are areas with a magnetic field 2500 times greater than that of the Earth and greater even than any other area on the Sun itself. They tend to occur in pairs that have magnetic fields pointing in opposite directions.
ANSA
Why are they dark
The dark colour of sunspots is due to the fact that the surrounding surface of the Sun is about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit while the shaded area is about 6300 degrees Fahrenheit. They have an average size equal to that of the Earth.
freepik (generic image)
Do sunspots affect Earth's climate?
The scientific community is still divided on whether or not sunspots affect the Earth's climate. Although there are in fact studies that have tried to prove the non-influence of their activity, there seems to be no doubt that the production of solar energy affects the Earth's climate. However, the degree of influence due to terrestrial and oceanic interactions on Earth remains in doubt.
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