None Living being will not grow without sunlight. Everything will wither, especially the plants. Even natural resources - coal, natural gas, oil - are a form of solar energy that has been stored away. This is evidenced by the carbon they contain, accumulated by plants. According to scientists, any changes in the production of solar energy will inevitably lead to changes in the Earth's climate. What do we know about these changes? What are sunspots, flares and what does their appearance mean for us?
Life source
A star called the Sun is our source of heat and energy. Thanks to this luminary, life is supported on Earth. We know more about the Sun than about any other star. This is understandable, because we are part of the solar system and are located only 150 million km from it.
Of great interest to scientists are sunspots that appear, develop and disappear, and new ones appear in place of the disappeared ones. Sometimes giant spots can form. For example, in April 1947, it was possible to observe a complex spot on the Sun with an area 350 times larger than the earth’s surface! It could be observed with the naked eye.
Study of processes on the central luminary
There are large observatories that have special telescopes at their disposal to study the Sun. Thanks to such equipment, astronomers can find out what processes take place on the Sun and how they affect life on earth. In addition, by studying solar processes, scientists can learn more about other stellar objects.
The energy of the Sun in the surface layer escapes in the form of light. Astronomers have recorded a significant difference in solar activity, as evidenced by sunspots appearing on the star. They represent less bright and cooler areas of the solar disk in comparison with the overall brightness of the photosphere.
Solar formations
Large spots are quite complex. They are characterized by a penumbra that surrounds the dark area of the shadow and has a diameter more than twice the size of the shadow itself. If you observe sunspots on the edge of the disk of our star, you get the impression that it is a deep dish. It looks this way because the gas in the spots is more transparent than in the surrounding atmosphere. Therefore, our gaze penetrates deeper. Shadow temperature 3(4) x 10 3 K.
Astronomers have found that the base of a typical sunspot is 1,500 km below the surface surrounding it. This discovery was made by scientists from the University of Glasgow in 2009. The astronomical group was headed by F. Watson.
Temperature of solar formations
It is interesting that the size of sunspots can be small, with a diameter of 1000 to 2000 km, or gigantic. The dimensions of the latter significantly exceed those of the globe.
The sunspot itself is the place where the strongest magnetic fields enter the photosphere. Reducing the energy flow, magnetic fields come from the very depths of the Sun. Therefore, on the surface, in places where there are sunspots, the temperature is approximately 1500 K less than in the surrounding surface. Accordingly, these processes make these places less bright.
Dark formations on the Sun form groups of large and small spots that can occupy an impressively large area on the disk of the star. However, the picture of formations is unstable. It is constantly changing, since sunspots are also unstable. They, as mentioned above, arise, change in size and decay. However, the lifespan of groups of dark formations is quite long. It can last for 2-3 solar revolutions. The rotation period of the Sun itself lasts approximately 27 days.
Discoveries
When the Sun drops below the horizon, the largest spots can be seen. This is how Chinese astronomers studied the solar surface 2000 years ago. In ancient times, it was believed that spots were a consequence of processes occurring on Earth. In the 17th century, this opinion was refuted by Galileo Galilei. Thanks to the use of the telescope, he was able to make many important discoveries:
- about the appearance and disappearance of spots;
- about changes in size and dark formations;
- the shape that black spots have on the Sun changes as they approach the boundary of the visible disk;
- By studying the movement of dark spots across the solar disk, Galileo proved the rotation of the Sun.
Among all the small spots, two large ones usually stand out, which form a bipolar group.
In 1859, on September 1, two English astronomers independently observed the Sun in white light. These were R. Carrington and S. Hodgson. They saw something like lightning. It suddenly sparkled among one group of sunspots. This phenomenon was later called a solar flare.
Explosions
What characteristics do solar flares have and how do they occur? Briefly: this is a very powerful explosion on the main luminary. Thanks to it, a huge amount of energy that has accumulated in the solar atmosphere is quickly released. As you know, the volume of this atmosphere is limited. Outbreaks occur most frequently in areas considered neutral. They are located between the large bipolar spots.
As a rule, solar flares begin to develop with a sharp and unexpected increase in brightness at the flare site. This is a region of the brighter and hotter photosphere. After this, an explosion of catastrophic proportions occurs. During the explosion, the plasma heats up from 40 to 100 million K. These manifestations can be observed in the multiple amplification of ultraviolet and X-ray radiation of short waves from the Sun. In addition, our star makes a powerful sound and ejects accelerated corpuscles.
What processes are going on and what happens to the Sun during flares?
Sometimes such powerful flares occur that generate solar cosmic rays. Cosmic ray protons reach half the speed of light. These particles are carriers of deadly energy. They can easily penetrate the body spaceship and destroy living organisms at the cellular level. Therefore, solar spacecraft pose a high danger to the crew, which is overtaken by a sudden flash during the flight.
Thus, the Sun emits radiation in the form of particles and electromagnetic waves. The total flux of radiation (visible) always remains constant. And with an accuracy of a fraction of a percent. Weak flares can always be observed. The big ones happen every few months. During years of maximum solar activity, large flares are observed several times a month.
By studying what happens to the Sun during flares, astronomers have been able to measure the duration of these processes. A small flash lasts from 5 to 10 minutes. The most powerful - up to several hours. During the flare, plasma with a mass of up to 10 billion tons is ejected into the space around the Sun. This releases energy equivalent to tens to hundreds of millions of hydrogen bombs! But the power of even the largest flares will not be more than hundredths of a percent of the power of total solar radiation. That is why during a flare there is no noticeable increase in the luminosity of the Sun.
Solar transformations
5800 K is approximately the same temperature on the surface of the sun, and in the center it reaches 16 million K. Bubbles (graininess) are observed on the solar surface. They can only be viewed using a solar telescope. Through the process of convection occurring in the solar atmosphere, from the lower layers thermal energy is transferred to the photosphere and gives it a foamy structure.
Not only the temperature on the surface of the Sun and at its very center is different, but also the density and pressure. All indicators increase with depth. Since the temperature in the core is very high, a reaction occurs there: hydrogen is converted into helium and a huge amount of heat is released. Thus, the Sun is kept from being compressed under the influence of its own gravity.
It is interesting that our star is a single typical star. The mass and size of the star The Sun in diameter, respectively: 99.9% of the mass of solar system objects and 1.4 million km. The Sun, as a star, has 5 billion years left to live. It will gradually heat up and increase in size. In theory, there will come a time when all the hydrogen in the central core is consumed. The sun will become 3 times its current size. Eventually it will cool down and turn into a white dwarf.
Step backQUESTION No. 114. What do dark spots on the Sun portend, why do they appear and what for? Does their absence mean the imminent onset of an ice age on the planet?
On the “Universe” website dated May 16, 2017, scientists announced unusual phenomenon to the Sun at the link:
“NASA scientists reported that all spots have disappeared from the surface of the Sun. Not a single speck has been found for the third day in a row. This causes serious concern among experts.
According to NASA scientists, if the situation does not change soon, the inhabitants of the Earth should prepare for severe cold. The disappearance of sunspots threatens humanity with the onset of an ice age. Experts are confident that changes in the appearance of the Sun may indicate a significant decrease in the activity of the only star in the solar system, which will ultimately lead to a global decrease in temperature on planet Earth. Similar phenomena occurred in the period from 1310 to 1370 and from 1645 to 1725, at the same time periods of global cooling or the so-called Little Ice Ages were recorded.
According to the observations of scientists, amazing purity on the Sun was recorded at the beginning of 2017; the solar disk remained spotless for 32 days. The Sun remained spotless for exactly the same amount of time last year. Such phenomena threaten to reduce power ultraviolet radiation, which means the upper layers of the atmosphere are discharged. This will lead to the fact that all space debris will accumulate in the atmosphere, and not burn up as always happens. Some scientists believe that the Earth is starting to freeze."
This is what the Sun looked like without dark spots at the beginning of 2017.
There were no sunspots on the Sun in 2014 - 1 day, in 2015 - 0 days, for 2 months at the beginning of 2017 - 32 days.
What does it mean? Why do spots disappear?
A clear Sun marks the approaching minimum of solar activity. The sunspot cycle is like a pendulum, swinging back and forth with a period of 11–12 years. Right now the pendulum is close to low sunspot numbers. Experts expect the cycle to bottom out in 2019–2020. From now until then, we will see the absolutely untainted Sun many more times. At first, periods without spots will be measured in days, later in weeks and months. Science does not yet have a complete explanation for this phenomenon.
What is the 11-year cycle of solar activity?
The eleven-year cycle is a marked cycle of solar activity, lasting approximately 11 years. It is characterized by a fairly rapid (about 4 years) increase in the number of sunspots, and then a slower (about 7 years) decrease. The length of the cycle is not strictly equal to 11 years: in the 18th–20th centuries its length was 7–17 years, and in the 20th century it was approximately 10.5 years.
It is known that the level of solar activity is constantly changing. Dark spots, their appearance and number are very closely related to this phenomenon and one cycle can vary from 9 to 14 years, and the level of activity constantly changes from century to century. Thus, there may be periods of calm when there are virtually no spots for more than one year. But the opposite can also happen when their number is considered abnormal. Thus, in October 1957 there were 254 dark spots on the Sun, which is the maximum to date.
The most intriguing question is: where does solar activity come from and how to explain its features?
It is known that the determining factor in solar activity is the magnetic field. To answer this question, the first steps have already been taken towards constructing a scientifically based theory that can explain all the observed features of the activity of the great star.
Science has also established the fact that it is dark spots that lead to solar flares, which can have a strong impact on the Earth's magnetic field. Dark spots have a low temperature relative to the photosphere of the Sun - about 3500 degrees C and represent the very areas through which magnetic fields reach the surface, which is called magnetic activity. If there are few spots, then this is called a quiet period, and when there are many of them, then such a period will be called active.
On average, the temperature of the Sun on the surface reaches 6000 degrees. C. Sunspots last from a couple of days to several weeks. But groups of spots can remain in the photosphere for months. The sizes of sunspots, as well as their number in groups, can be very diverse.
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.
Impact on the planet. Magnetic phenomena on the Sun interact closely with our daily lives. The Earth is constantly attacked by various radiations from the Sun. The planet is protected from their destructive effects by the magnetosphere and atmosphere. But, unfortunately, they are not able to resist him completely. Satellites may be disabled, radio communications may be disrupted, and astronauts may be exposed to increased danger. Increased doses of ultraviolet and x-ray radiation The sun, especially if there is ozone holes in the atmosphere. In February 1956, the most powerful flare on the Sun occurred with the release of a huge cloud of plasma the size more planet at a speed of 1000 km/sec.
In addition, radiation affects climate change and even a person’s appearance. There is such a thing as sun spots on the body that appear under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. This issue has not yet been properly studied, as well as the influence of sunspots on daily life of people. Another phenomenon that depends on magnetic disturbances is the northern lights.
Magnetic storms in the planet's atmosphere have become one of the most famous consequences of solar activity. They represent another external magnetic field around the Earth, which is parallel to the constant one. Modern scientists even associate increased mortality, as well as exacerbation of diseases of the cardiovascular system, with the appearance of this very magnetic field.”
Here is some information about the parameters of the Sun: diameter - 1 million. 390 thousand km., chemical composition hydrogen (75%) and helium (25%), mass - 2x10 to the 27th power of tons, which is 99.8% of the mass of all planets and objects in solar system, every second in thermonuclear reactions the Sun burns 600 million tons of hydrogen, turning it into helium, and releases 4 million tons of its mass into space in the form of all radiation. In the volume of the Sun, you can place 1 million planets like the Earth and there will still be free space. The distance from the Earth to the Sun is 150 million km. Its age is about 5 billion years.
Answer:
Article No. 46 of this section of the site reports information unknown to science: “There is no thermonuclear reactor in the center of the Sun; there is a white hole there, which receives up to half the energy for the Sun from the black hole in the center of the Galaxy through the portals of space-time channels. Thermonuclear reactions, which produce only about half the energy expended by the Sun, occur locally in the outer layers of the neutrino and neutron shells. Dark spots on the surface of the Sun are black holes through which energy from the center of the Galaxy enters the center of your star.”
Almost all the stars of the Galaxies that have planetary systems are connected by invisible spatial-energy channels with huge black holes in the centers of the Galaxies.
These galactic black holes have spatial-energy channels with stellar systems and are the energy basis of the Galaxies and the entire Universe. They feed stars with planetary systems with their accumulated energy received from the matter they absorbed in the center of the Galaxies. Black hole at the center of our Galaxy Milky Way has a mass equal to 4 million solar masses. The energy supply of stars from a black hole occurs according to established calculations for each stellar system in terms of period and power.
This is necessary so that the star would always shine with the same intensity for millions of years without attenuation in order to carry out constant experiments in each star system. The black hole in the center of the Galaxy restores up to 50% of all the energy spent by the Sun to emit up to 4 million tons of its mass every second in the form of radiation. The Sun creates the same amount of energy through its thermonuclear reactions on the surface.
Therefore, when a star is connected to the energy channels of a black hole from the center of the Galaxy, the required number of black holes are formed on the surface of the Sun, receiving energy and transmitting it to the center of the star.
At the center of the Sun there is a black hole that receives energy from its surface; science calls such holes white holes. The appearance of dark spots on the Sun - black holes - is the period when the star connects to the recharge from the energy channels of the Galaxy and is not a harbinger of future global cooling or an ice age on Earth, as scientists suggest. For global cooling to occur on the planet, a decrease in average annual temperature by 3 degrees, which could lead to icing in northern Europe, Russia and the Scandinavian countries. But according to observations and monitoring of scientists Over the past 50 years, the average annual temperature on the planet has not changed.
The average annual value of solar ultraviolet radiation also remained at normal levels. During a period of solar activity, in the presence of dark spots on the Sun, the magnetic activity of the star increases / magnetic storms/ within the maximum values of all past 11-year cycles. The fact is that the energy from the black hole from the center of the Galaxy, arriving at the black holes of the Sun, has magnetism. Therefore, during the period with dark spots, the substance on the surface of the solar photosphere is activated magnetic field these spots in the form of emissions, arches and prominences, which is called increased solar activity.
The gloomy assumptions of scientists about the upcoming period of global cooling on the planet are untenable due to the lack of reliable information about the Sun. Global cooling or small ice ages in the 2nd millennium AD, which are indicated at the beginning of the article, occurred according to the plan of climate experiments on Earth by our Creators and Observers, and not due to random failures in the form of a long absence of dark spots on the Sun.
Views 2,660
In these areas.
The number of sunspots (and the associated Wolf number) is one of the main indicators of solar magnetic activity.
Encyclopedic YouTube
1 / 2
✪ Physics of the Sun; sunspots (narrated by Vladimir Obridko)
✪ Sunspots 08/26/2011. Moscow 14:00 .avi
Subtitles
History of the study
The first reports of sunspots date back to 800 BC. e. in China .
The spots were first depicted in 1128 in the chronicle of John of Worcester.
The first known mention of sunspots in ancient Russian literature is contained in the Nikon Chronicle, in records dating back to the second half of the 14th century:
there was a sign in the sky, the sun was like blood, and in it the places were black
Sunspots observed as areas of reduced luminosity on the surface of the Sun. Plasma temperature at the center sunspot reduced to about 3700 K compared to the temperature of 5700 K in the surrounding photosphere of the Sun. Although separate sunspots They usually live no more than a few days; the largest of them can exist on the surface of the Sun for several weeks. Sunspots are areas of a very strong magnetic field, the magnitude of which exceeds the magnitude of the Earth's magnetic field by thousands of times. More often spots are formed in the form of two closely spaced groups, the magnetic field of which has different polarities. The field of one group has a positive (or northern) polarity, and the field of the other group has a negative (or southern) polarity. This field is strongest in the darkest part sunspot- his shadows. The field lines here extend almost vertically into the surface of the Sun. In the lighter part spots(its penumbra) the field is smaller and its lines are more horizontal. Sunspots are of great interest for research, since they are the areas of the most powerful solar flares that have the strongest impact on the Earth.there was a sign in the sun, the places were black in the sun, like nails, and the darkness was great
Early research focused on the nature of the spots and their behavior. Although physical nature The spots remained unclear until the 20th century; observations continued. By the 19th century, there was already a long enough series of observations of sunspots to notice periodic variations in solar activity. In 1845, D. Henry and S. Alexander (eng. S. Alexander) from Princeton University conducted observations of the Sun using a special thermometer (en:thermopile) and determined that the intensity of the sunspot radiation, compared to the surrounding regions of the Sun, was reduced.
Emergence
Spots arise as a result of disturbances in individual sections of the Sun's magnetic field. At the beginning of this process, magnetic field tubes “break through” the photosphere into the corona region, and the strong field suppresses the convective motion of plasma in the granules, preventing the transfer of energy from the internal regions to the outside in these places. First, a torch appears in this place, a little later and to the west - a small point called it's time, several thousand kilometers in size. Over the course of several hours, the magnetic induction increases (at initial values of 0.1 tesla), and the size and number of pores increases. They merge with each other and form one or more spots. During the period of greatest sunspot activity, the magnetic induction value can reach 0.4 Tesla.
The lifespan of spots reaches several months, that is, individual groups of spots can be observed during several revolutions of the Sun. It was this fact (the movement of the observed spots along the solar disk) that served as the basis for proving the rotation of the Sun and made it possible to carry out the first measurements of the period of revolution of the Sun around its axis.
Spots usually form in groups, but sometimes a single spot appears that lasts only a few days, or a bipolar group: two spots of different magnetic polarity, connected by magnetic field lines. The western spot in such a bipolar group is called the “leading”, “head” or “P-spot” (from English preceding), the eastern - “slave”, “tail” or “F-spot” (from English following).
Only half of the spots live for more than two days, and only a tenth live for more than 11 days.
At the beginning of the 11-year cycle of solar activity, spots on the Sun appear at high heliographic latitudes (on the order of ±25-30°), and as the cycle progresses, the spots migrate to the solar equator, reaching latitudes of ±5-10° at the end of the cycle. This pattern is called “Spoerer’s law”.
Groups of sunspots are oriented approximately parallel to the solar equator, but there is some inclination of the group axis relative to the equator, which tends to increase for groups located further from the equator (the so-called “Joy’s law”).
Properties
The surface of the Sun in the region where the sunspot is located is located approximately 500-700 km lower than the surface of the surrounding photosphere. This phenomenon is called “Wilsonian depression.”
Sunspots are areas of greatest activity on the Sun. If there are many spots, then there is a high probability that reconnection of magnetic lines will occur - lines passing within one group of spots recombine with lines from another group of spots that have the opposite polarity. The visible result of this process is a solar flare. A burst of radiation reaching the Earth causes strong disturbances in its magnetic field, disrupts the operation of satellites and even affects objects located on the planet. Due to disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field, the likelihood of northern lights at low latitudes. The Earth's ionosphere is also subject to fluctuations in solar activity, which manifests itself in changes in the propagation of short radio waves.
Classification
Spots are classified depending on their lifespan, size, and location.
Stages of development
Local strengthening of the magnetic field, as mentioned above, slows down the movement of plasma in convection cells, thereby slowing down the transfer of heat to the surface of the Sun. Cooling the granules affected by this process (by approximately 1000 °C) leads to their darkening and the formation of a single spot. Some of them disappear after a few days. Others develop into bipolar groups of two spots, the magnetic lines in which have opposite polarities. They can form groups of many spots, which, if the area increases further, penumbra combine up to hundreds of spots, reaching sizes of hundreds of thousands of kilometers. After this, there is a slow (over several weeks or months) decrease in the activity of the spots and a reduction in their size to small double or single dots.
The largest groups of sunspots always have a connected group in the other hemisphere (northern or southern). Magnetic lines in such cases they leave the spots in one hemisphere and enter the spots in the other.
Spot group sizes
The size of a group of spots is usually characterized by its geometric extent, as well as the number of spots included in it and their total area.
There can be from one to one and a half hundred or more spots in a group. The areas of the groups, which are conveniently measured in millionths of the area of the solar hemisphere (m.s.p.), vary from several m.s.s. up to several thousand m.s.p.
The solar cycle is associated with the frequency of sunspots, their activity and lifespan. One cycle covers approximately 11 years. During periods of minimum activity there are very few or no sunspots on the Sun, while during periods of maximum there may be several hundred of them. At the end of each cycle, the polarity of the solar magnetic field is reversed, so it is more correct to speak of a 22-year solar cycle.
Cycle duration
Although the average solar activity cycle lasts about 11 years, there are cycles ranging from 9 to 14 years in length. Averages also change over the centuries. Thus, in the 20th century, the average cycle length was 10.2 years.
The shape of the cycle is not constant. Swiss astronomer Max Waldmeier argued that the transition from minimum to maximum solar activity occurs the faster, the greater the maximum number of sunspots recorded in this cycle (the so-called “Waldmeier rule”).
Start and end of the cycle
In the past, the beginning of the cycle was considered the moment when solar activity was at its minimum point. Thanks to modern methods measurements, it has become possible to determine the change in the polarity of the solar magnetic field, so now the moment of change in the polarity of the sunspots is taken as the beginning of the cycle. [ ]
The numbering of cycles was proposed by R. Wolf. The first cycle, according to this numbering, began in 1749. In 2009, the 24th solar cycle began.
Data on recent solar cycles
Cycle number Start year and month Year and month of maximum Maximum number of spots 18 1944-02 1947-05 201 19 1954-04 1957-10 254 20 1964-10 1968-03 125 21 1976-06 1979-01 167 22 1986-09 1989-02 165 1996-09 2000-03 139 24 2008-01 2012-12* 87*
- Last row data - forecast
There is a periodicity of changes in the maximum number of sunspots with a characteristic period of about 100 years (“secular cycle”). The last lows of this cycle occurred approximately 1800-1840 and 1890-1920. There is an assumption about the existence of cycles of even longer duration.
Torches
Granules are small (about 1000 km in size) cell-like elements irregular shape, which, like a grid, cover the entire photosphere of the Sun, with the exception of sunspots. These surface elements are the upper part of convective cells going deep into the Sun. At the center of these cells, hot matter rises from the inner layers of the Sun, then spreads horizontally across the surface, cools, and sinks down at the dark outer boundaries of the cell. Individual granules do not last long, only about 20 minutes. As a result, the granulation network constantly changes its appearance. This change is clearly visible in the film (470 kB MPEG), obtained at the Swedish Vacuum Solar Telescope. The flows inside the granules can reach supersonic speeds of more than 7 km per second and produce sonic "booms" that lead to the formation of waves on the surface of the Sun.
Super granules
Supergranules have a convective nature similar to that of ordinary granules, but are noticeably larger in size (about 35,000 km). Unlike granules, which are visible on the photosphere with the ordinary eye, supergranules most often reveal themselves by the Doppler effect, according to which radiation coming from matter moving towards us is shifted along the wavelength axis to the blue side, and radiation from matter moving from us, shifts to the red side. Supergranules also cover the entire surface of the Sun and are continuously evolving. Individual supergranules can live for one or two days and have an average flow speed of about 0.5 km per second. Convective plasma flows inside supergranules rake magnetic field lines to the edges of the cell, where this field forms a chromospheric grid.
Periodically, the Sun becomes covered with dark spots along its entire perimeter. They were first discovered with the naked eye by ancient Chinese astronomers, while the official discovery of the spots took place in early XVII century, during the appearance of the first telescopes. They were discovered by Christoph Scheiner and Galileo Galilei.
Galileo, despite the fact that Scheiner discovered the spots earlier, was the first to publish data about his discovery. Based on these spots, he was able to calculate the rotation period of the star. He discovered that the Sun rotates as it would rotate solid, and the speed of rotation of its matter varies depending on latitude.
Today, it has been possible to determine that the spots are areas of colder matter that are formed as a result of exposure to high magnetic activity, which interferes with the uniform flow of hot plasma. However, the spots are still not fully understood.
For example, astronomers cannot say for sure what causes the brighter border that surrounds the dark part of the sunspot. They can be up to two thousand kilometers in length and up to one hundred and fifty in width. Studying the spots is made difficult by their relatively small size. However, there is an opinion that the strands are ascending and descending gas flows, formed as a result of the fact that hot matter from the depths of the Sun rises to the surface, where it cools and falls back down. Scientists have determined that downdrafts move at a speed of 3.6 thousand km/h, while updrafts move at a speed of about 10.8 thousand km/h.
The mystery of dark spots on the Sun has been solved
Scientists have discovered the nature of the bright strands that frame dark spots on the Sun. Dark spots on the Sun are areas of cooler material. They appear because the Sun's very high magnetic activity can prevent the hot plasma from flowing evenly. However, to date, many details of the structure of the spots remain unclear.
In particular, scientists do not have a clear explanation of the nature of the brighter strands surrounding the dark part of the spot. The length of such strands can reach two thousand kilometers, and the width - 150 kilometers. Due to the relatively small size of the spot, it is quite difficult to study. Many astronomers believed that the strands were ascending and descending gas flows - hot matter rises from the depths of the Sun to the surface, where it spreads, cools and falls down at great speed.
Authors new job observed the star using a Swedish solar telescope with a main mirror diameter of one meter. Scientists discovered dark downdrafts of gas moving at a speed of about 3.6 thousand kilometers per hour, as well as bright updrafts, the speed of which was about 10.8 thousand kilometers per hour.
Recently, another team of scientists managed to achieve very significant result in the study of the Sun, NASA's STEREO-A and STEREO-B spacecraft were positioned around the star so that experts can now observe a three-dimensional image of the Sun.
Science and technology news
American amateur astronomer Howard Eskildsen recently took photographs of a dark spot on the Sun and discovered that this spot seemed to cut through a bright bridge of light.
Eskildsen monitored solar activity from his home observatory in Ocala, Florida. In photographs of dark spot No. 1236, he noticed an interesting phenomenon. A bright canyon, also called a light bridge, split this dark spot roughly in half. The researcher estimated that the length of this canyon is about 20 thousand km, which is almost twice the diameter of the Earth.
I used a purple Ca-K filter, which highlights the bright magnetic features around a group of sunspots. It was also clearly visible how the light bridge cut the sunspot into two parts, Eskildsen explains the phenomenon.
The nature of light bridges has not yet been fully studied. Their occurrence very often foreshadows the decay of sunspots. Some researchers note that light bridges arise from the crossover of magnetic fields. These processes are similar to those that cause bright flares on the Sun.
One can hope that in the near future a bright flash will appear at this place or that spot No. 1236 may finally split in half.
Dark sunspots are relatively cold areas of the Sun that appear in places where powerful magnetic fields reach the surface of the star, scientists believe.
NASA captures record-breaking sunspots
The American space agency has recorded large spots on the surface of the Sun. Photos of sunspots and their descriptions can be viewed on the NASA website.
Observations were carried out on February 19 and 20. The spots discovered by NASA specialists were characterized by a high growth rate. One of them grew in 48 hours to a size six times the diameter of the Earth.
Sunspots form as a result of increased magnetic field activity. Due to the field enhancement in these areas, the activity of charged particles is suppressed, as a result of which the temperature on the surface of the spots is significantly lower than in other areas. This explains the local darkening observed from Earth.
Sunspots are unstable formations. In the case of interaction with similar structures of a different polarity, they collapse, which leads to the release of plasma flows into the surrounding space.
When such a flow reaches the Earth, most of it is neutralized by the planet's magnetic field, and the remnants flock to the poles, where they can be observed in the form of auroras. High-power solar flares can disrupt satellites, electrical appliances and power grids on Earth.
Dark spots on the Sun have disappeared
Scientists are concerned because not a single dark spot is visible on the surface of the Sun, which was observed a few days ago. This is despite the fact that the star is in the middle of an 11-year cycle of solar activity.
Typically, dark spots appear in places where there is increased magnetic activity. These can be solar flares or coronal mass ejections, which release energy. It is not known what causes such a lull during the period of increased magnetic activity.
According to some experts, days with no sunspots were to be expected and this is just a temporary intermission. For example, on August 14, 2011, not a single dark spot was noticed on the star, but overall the year was accompanied by quite serious solar activity.
All this emphasizes that scientists essentially do not know what is happening on the Sun, and do not know how to predict its activity, says Tony Phillips, an expert in the field of solar physics.
Alex Young from the Goddard Space Flight Center shares the same opinion. We have been observing the sun in detail for only 50 years. That's not that long, considering it's been spinning around for 4.5 billion years, Young notes.
Sunspots are the main indicator of solar magnetic activity. In dark areas the temperature is lower than in the surrounding areas of the photosphere.
Sources: tainy.net, lenta.ru, www.epochtimes.com.ua, respect-youself.livejournal.com, mir24.tv
Tower of London - royal residence
Stephen Hawking: the dangerous possibilities of artificial intelligence
Pyramids of Crimea
Olmec - the mystery of San Lorenzo
VLA telescope
The creation was motivated by the need, clearly realized in the early sixties, to have a tool capable of constructing images and at the same time having the maximum...
Texts for one-page sites
One-page sites, as their name suggests, represent one Internet page that contains a maximum of useful information for that, ...
Stem cells
Stem cells are perhaps the most amazing discovery of science. Stem cell treatment is a medical discovery of the century that can change...
Roman bath
Roman baths or baths are one of the most amazing structures that have come down to us from antiquity. The baths originated in...
Updating plastic windows
Some of the main functions of your window supplier are to inform you about the quality materials used in the manufacture of sashes, frames and...