What are the dark patches on the sun's surface called
The name of the sun's surface layer is called the chromosphere. The other layers of the sun is called photosphere and convection zone.
A bright area on the surface of the sun is called a facula.
the visible surface of the sun is called the photoshpere
What are the dark patches on the sun's surface called
Its called the chromosphere.
Sun spots!
The photosphere.
The prominences of the sun are bright features that extend outward from its surface. These are anchored to the sun's surface in the photosphere, called the corona.
Sun Flares
Yes I have seen a dark spot on the Sun. It is called a "Sunspot". It is formed on the Sun's surface which is called the "photo-sphere" and is caused by a loop of the Sun's magnetic field poking though the Sun's surface.
The visible outside part of the Sun can be said to be its surface. But the Sun doesn't have a solid surface on which you might stand, if that's what you mean. The "surface" we see is called the "photosphere".