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sunspots
5 dictionary results for: sunspots
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
sun·spot
 (sŭn'spŏt') Pronunciation Key
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. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| 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. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
sunspots
sunspots
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.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source - Share This
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]
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
Jargon File - Cite This Source - Share This
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.
sunspots
n.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.
Jargon File 4.2.0
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