sunspot

Everyday

1. A dark, cooler patch that appears for a while on the surface of the Sun. tree →
2. (informal, UK) A sunny place where people go on holiday. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons sunspots show that the Sun is not a smooth, calm ball: its surface changes, and the number of sunspots rises and falls in a cycle of about eleven years. Scientists count them to study the Sun's activity, which can cause bright auroras on Earth. In travel talk «a holiday sunspot» means a warm, sunny resort. Phrases: «sunspot cycle», «solar flares and sunspots».

Examples

• Sunspots look dark only because they are cooler than the gas around them. tree →
• You must never look straight at the Sun to find sunspots. tree →
• Astronomers project the Sun's image onto paper to see sunspots safely. tree →
• The number of sunspots goes up and down about every eleven years. tree →
• A big sunspot can be wider than the whole Earth. tree →
• Lots of sunspots can mean more northern lights. tree →
• Spain is a favourite sunspot for families from Ireland in summer. tree →

Note

Countable noun: one sunspot, two sunspots. One word, not «sun spot». A sunspot is still extremely hot; it is only cooler than the rest of the Sun's surface. Safety: never look at the Sun directly or through binoculars to see one.