[suhn-spot] 
| one of the relatively dark patches that appear periodically on the surface of the sun and affect terrestrial magnetism and certain other terrestrial phenomena. |
| sun·spot (sŭn'spŏt') n. Any of the relatively cool dark spots appearing periodically in groups on the surface of the sun that are associated with strong magnetic fields. |
Dark spots on the surface of the sun caused by magnetic storms.
Note: 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.
| sunspot (sŭn'spŏt') Pronunciation Key
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. |
sunspots
1. Notional cause of an odd error. "Why did the program suddenly turn the screen blue?" "Sunspots, I guess."
2. Also the cause of bit rot - from the myth that sunspots will increase cosmic rays, which can flip single bits in memory. See also phase of the moon.
[The Jargon File]
