Sunspots are unpredictable and can occur at any time. They follow an 11-year solar cycle, with peaks of sunspot activity happening roughly every 11 years on average. The next peak of sunspot activity is expected around 2024-2025.
Sunspot maximum and sunspot minimum are the points in time (roughly 6 years apart) when the sun is producing the most, or the least sunspots. In the past this has been measured both by sunspot area and sunspot count and is directly tied to the solar magnetic cycle.
The sunspot cycle is about 11 years in length.
The average sunspot cycle is approximately 11 years, with periods of high sunspot activity followed by lower activity levels. This cycle is known as the solar cycle or the sunspot cycle.
The darkened area of a sunspot is called the umbra. It is the central region of a sunspot where the magnetic field is strongest, causing the area to appear darker compared to the surrounding photosphere of the Sun.
You should never look directly at the Sun to try to see a sunspot, as they are not as dark as they look in photographs. The magnetic disturbance that causes a sunspot will seldom occur in the same location twice.
The cycle of sunspot activity.
Sunspot activity occurs in cycles that last around 11 years. The next peak in sunspot activity is expected around 2025-2026, after which it will gradually decrease. However, predicting the exact timing and intensity of solar activity is challenging.
The cycle of sunspot activity.
One doesn't have a sunspot, as a sunspot is a phenomenon that occurs on the face of the sun itself. When looked at, there appear to be black spots or marks on the sun where no light is emanating. This is caused by intense magnetic fields which inhibit convection.
Sunspot activity increases and decreases with a frequency of about eleven years from peak to peak, so there are about five and a half years from a period of highest sunspot activity to a period of lowest sunspot activity. The last peak was in 2001, so the next peak is expected in 2012.
The last sunspot cycle may have ended in December 2008 (Cycle 23). However, due to lack of sunspot activity, scientist are unsure whether cycle 23 has ended yet, or whether cycle 24 is just starting. A rough guess would place the timing around December 2009 but as with everything, nothing is certain, certainly not the sunspot cycle. (The 11 year cycle is a mean value and cannot be taken as precise). Given the approximate 11-year cycle, and assuming that cycle 24 started in January 2009, then the PEAK of sunspot activity should occur about 5 1/2 years from then, around summer 2014. See related links for more information
Prominence Sunspot in 1945
Sunspot maximum and sunspot minimum are the points in time (roughly 6 years apart) when the sun is producing the most, or the least sunspots. In the past this has been measured both by sunspot area and sunspot count and is directly tied to the solar magnetic cycle.
The sunspot cycle is about 11 years in length.
A Large Sunspot can be up to about 10,000 miles across.
The average sunspot cycle is approximately 11 years, with periods of high sunspot activity followed by lower activity levels. This cycle is known as the solar cycle or the sunspot cycle.
No. A dark patch on the sun is a sunspot. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, partially or completely blocking its light.