sunspot

[ suhn-spot ]
/ ˈsʌnˌspɒt /

noun

one of the relatively dark patches that appear periodically on the surface of the sun and affect terrestrial magnetism and certain other terrestrial phenomena.

Origin of sunspot

First recorded in 1805–15; sun + spot

OTHER WORDS FROM sunspot

sun·spot·ted, adjective sun·spot·ted·ness, noun

Words nearby sunspot

sunshine, sunshine law, sunshine state, sunsick, sunspace, sunspot, sunspot cycle, sunspots, sunstar, sunstone, sunstroke

Example sentences from the Web for sunspots

British Dictionary definitions for sunspots

sunspot
/ (ˈsʌnˌspɒt) /

noun

any of the dark cool patches, with a diameter of up to several thousand kilometres, that appear on the surface of the sun and last about a week. They occur in approximately 11-year cycles and possess a strong magnetic field
informal a sunny holiday resort
Australian a small cancerous spot produced by overexposure to the sun

Derived forms of sunspot

sunspotted, adjective

Scientific definitions for sunspots

sunspot
[ sŭn′spŏt′ ]

Any of the dark, irregular spots that usually appear in groups on the surface of the Sun (its photosphere), lasting from a few days to several weeks or more. Sunspots appear dark because they are cooler, by up to 1,500°K, than the surrounding photosphere. They are associated with strong magnetic fields and solar magnetic storms moving in a vortex pattern, similar to a tornado on Earth. The number of sunspots waxes and wanes over an 11-year period; at maximum activity there are often increased numbers of solar flares.

Cultural definitions for sunspots

sunspots

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

notes for sunspots

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.