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Posted on 07/25/2025 8:52:44 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Sunspots, those mysterious dark patches on the Sun's surface, have been observed by astronomers for thousands of years. Yet, despite centuries of study, no one fully understood why these spots could remain stable for such extended periods. New research, however, has finally cracked the case, revealing that the secret lies in a delicate balance between the Sun's magnetic fields and the pressure of its plasma.
Sunspots have been documented since at least 27 B.C., with Chinese astronomers recording the phenomenon long before Galileo peered at the Sun through his telescope. Some historical records even suggest that Greek philosopher Anaxagoras might have spotted one as early as 467 B.C. For centuries, scientists were puzzled by these dark, cooler areas on the Sun's surface. While many theorized they were linked to solar activity, the reason they could remain visible for days or even months remained a mystery.
Now, an international research team has finally answered this age-old question, uncovering the hidden dynamics that allow sunspots to last so long. Using a cutting-edge method to observe polarized light from the Sun, researchers have revealed that sunspots exist due to an equilibrium between magnetic fields and gas pressure inside the Sun's convective zone.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailygalaxy.com ...
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“Galileo peered at the Sun through his telescope”
He would have blinded himself if he’d tried to do that.
https://solar-center.stanford.edu/galileo/
[snip] Galileo became completely blind by the age of 74, but NOT because he looked at the Sun through his telescope. He always projected an image of the Sun onto a surface. Remember, like Galileo, you should NEVER look directly at the Sun! [/snip]
With cloud cover, the solar disc is safe to look at. I’ve observed sunspots with the naked eye.
I get sunspots on my face sometimes... They’re called freckles.
‘Cept through your I-Phone.
They are just dense spots. Clouds are dark for the same reason. Send nobel prize to my P.O. address. I don’t do functions.
They uncovered a riddle?
So what was the riddle?
What goes on four legs at morning...
And how do you uncover a riddle that’s already centuries old?
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