<![CDATA[io9: Sunspot]]> http://cache.io9.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/io9.com.png <![CDATA[io9: Sunspot]]> http://io9.com/tag/sunspot http://io9.com/tag/sunspot <![CDATA[Massive new sunspot is three times as wide as the Earth]]> It might not look like much relative to the rest of the sun's surface, but the sunspot pictured up top (dubbed AR1339 by the folks at NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory) is positively massive — the biggest astronomers have observed in years. More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5856289&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Stare directly into the terrifying black heart of the Sun]]> This image is either a closeup look at a dark sunspot moving across the Sun, or a particularly fiery view of the gates of hell. Either way, this is clearly somewhere that's dangerous to even look at, let alone visit. More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5841591&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Scientists Simulate Sun Spots In The Lab]]> This is the first accurate, computer-generated image of a sunspot. Not only is it awesome and terrifying to behold, but it means we're one step closer to understanding the solar weather that could one day destroy the earth. More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5295943&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[A Sunspot Twice The Size Of Earth]]> Sunspot 982 flared up over the weekend, and it looks totally awesome. Not only is it humongous, but it has these two cool-looking dark filaments sticking out of it. Photographer Greg Piepol took this picture using a regular Coronado SolarMax 90 Ha telescope. Another awesome sunspot pic after the jump. More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=352580&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Sunspot Announces New Cycle, End of the World]]> Mark your calendars - It may not feel like it, but last Friday was potentially the start of the end of the world. Friday, you see, saw the identification that a new 11-year solar cycle has started (as Charlie pointed out) and according to many, when solar cycles peak, so does societal and cultural revolution (look here for evidence of that theory, skeptics). According to New Scientist, we're still a few years away from the peak of this cycle — some researchers predict 2011 and others 2012. Wait... 2012? That date sounds familiar. Something to do with Timewave Zero. More »
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