Sunspots: An overview (original) (raw)

Abstract.

Sunspots are the most readily visible manifestations of solar magnetic field concentrations and of their interaction with the Sun's plasma. Although sunspots have been extensively studied for almost 400 years and their magnetic nature has been known since 1908, our understanding of a number of their basic properties is still evolving, with the last decades producing considerable advances. In the present review I outline our current empirical knowledge and physical understanding of these fascinating structures. I concentrate on the internal structure of sunspots, in particular their magnetic and thermal properties and on some of their dynamical aspects.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Oscillations and Waves in Sunspots

Article Open access 01 December 2015

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie, 37191 Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany (e-mail: solanki@linmpi.mpg.de) , , , , , , DE
    Sami K. Solanki

Authors

  1. Sami K. Solanki
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Received 27 September 2002 / Published online 3 March 2003

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Solanki, S. Sunspots: An overview.The Astron Astrophys Rev 11, 153–286 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00159-003-0018-4

Download citation