What are sun spots?

Sunspots are indeed characterized as darker, cooler areas on the Sun's surface. These phenomena occur due to intense magnetic activity that inhibits convective heat transfer. As a result, the areas associated with sunspots are comparatively cooler than their surrounding regions. This cooling effect causes them to appear darker when observed against the brighter background of the Sun's photosphere.

Sunspots are part of the solar cycle and are associated with increased solar activity, influencing solar radiation and phenomena such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The existence of sunspots indicates that there are areas on the Sun where magnetic fields are particularly strong, leading to reduced temperatures.

The other options do not accurately describe sunspots; they either refer to incorrect characteristics or phenomena unrelated to sunspots. Understanding sunspots is crucial for comprehending solar dynamics and their impact on space weather.