Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Paul Young on 28/02/2011 20:30:03
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Paul Young asked the Naked Scientists:
Hi,
Paul from Surrey.
I read recently that Sun Spots are the coldest part of the sun and every 11 years they reach their maximum in number. However this is accompanied by warmer temperatures on the Earth. When Sun Spots are less in number then the Earth is colder.
My question is if Sun Spots are cold parts of the sun then why does having more of them increase temperatures on the Earth?
Thanks for your help,
Paul
What do you think?
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Sunspots are also assocated with solar flares and coronal mass ejections which can affect the earth's atmosphere and these are the processes that cause the raised temperatures. also they may be dark and cool in contrast to the normal sun but they are not all that much cooler than the rest of the surface of the sun