sunspots

1. Dark spots on the surface of the sun caused by magnetic storms .

Notes

The number of sunspots goes through a maximum and minimum about every eleven years. During periods of maximum sunspots, the elementary particles associated with the spots cause disturbances in the atmosphere of the Earth and interfere with radio and television communication.

Example Sentences

If you can elbow your way onto one of Majorca’s sunspots this summer, you will witness two unstoppable forces.

From BBC

The sun's surface is a brilliant display of sunspots and flares driven by the solar magnetic field, which is internally generated through a process called dynamo action.

From Science Daily

Galileo was among the first astronomers to turn a telescope skyward and study sunspots, back in the early 1600s.

From Seattle Times

The periodic changes may be due to giant sunspots rotating in and out of view.

From Science Daily

This weekend’s fireworks began with Active Region 3664, a giant cluster of sunspots, more than 15 times wider than Earth, where the Sun’s magnetic field is highly concentrated.

From Science Magazine