Sunspots appear through specialized telescopes, as blemishes on the sun.  They are caused by magnetic disturbances at the suns surface.  Their dark appearance is the result of their low temperature of 2,240 degrees Fahrenheit (1,200 degrees Celsius) which is colder than the rest of the suns surface.  A sunspot has two parts, a small, dark, and featureless core (the umbra).  The other part is a large and lighter surrounding region (called the penumbra).  Within the penumbra are delicate filaments, extending outward like spokes.  Sunspots vary in size and are usually found in groups.  The larger the group, the longer it lasts, usually for several weeks.  The smaller groups only last for a few weeks.

            Sunspots are referred to as a magnetic storm.  Like a storm on Earth, it is brought about by the interaction of various environmental factors.  On the sun, however, the storm is caused by the transfer of heat from the outer layers into the photosphere (the suns visible surface), stirring up the weak magnetic field lying beneath it!

           Sunspots can create solar flares and auorae by ejecting streams of subatomic particles along with plasma, cosmic rays, X-rays, and gamma rays into space.  These particles approach Earth and are attracted to the Earths north and south poles.  As the spiral downward, they ionize (create an electrical charge within) the oxygen and nitrogen gas in the atmosphere, causing the atmosphere to glow.  This glow results in a beautiful display of lights in the night sky called aurorae.  Also known as the Northern and Southern Lights! Sunspots are also believed to impact weather; even the smallest change in the suns brightness can cause major changes to Earths weather pattern!