{"id":2407,"date":"2026-05-18T22:24:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T22:24:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.aurorasaurus.org\/?p=2407"},"modified":"2026-05-29T18:47:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T18:47:14","slug":"how-are-sunspots-related-to-auroras","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.aurorasaurus.org\/?p=2407","title":{"rendered":"How are sunspots related to auroras?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While the Sun appears constant, in terms of heliophysics the Sun varies naturally and goes through significant daily variations. With solar maximum in the recent past, a common question about auroras is: are they caused by sunspots? As with a lot of aurora science, the answer is somewhat complicated, and includes several phenomena that are easily mixed up. In this post, we\u2019ll investigate the answer, and walk through the differences between similar-sounding, sunspot-related phenomena. The answer reveals more about the part of the solar cycle we are in now, when a mix of events on the Sun can drive different types of storms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunspots vs. Coronal Holes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both sunspots <\/strong>and coronal holes<\/strong> are relatively cooler areas on the Sun that look like dark patches in pictures. To non-scientists, they can look similar. However, there are important differences in how they form and influence auroras. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"On<\/a>
Left: Very large sunspot group<\/a> in the SDO Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI), October 2014. This spot was the visible light component of the active region cataloged as NOAA 12192. Right: coronal holes<\/a> in the SDO Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) 193 filter, October 2019). Credit: NASA. Note the coronal holes near the top and bottom of the Sun, and the large coronal hole across the Sun’s equator. Sunspots and coronal holes occur in different layers of the Sun\u2019s atmosphere and at different temperatures, so scientists look at them using different tools.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sunspots<\/strong><\/a> form in areas where the Sun\u2019s magnetic fields are especially strong: so much so that they keep some of the heat inside the Sun from reaching the surface. The strong magnetic fields near sunspots can suddenly reorganize<\/a> and trigger solar flares and CMEs, which we\u2019ll discuss later in this post. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the Sun\u2019s entire magnetic field undergoes a solar cycle<\/strong><\/a> that lasts about 11 years. The phases of the solar cycle are often tracked by observing the sunspots that appear on the side of the Sun that faces Earth. During solar minimum<\/a> (the most quiet phase) the Sun tends to display few to no sunspots, while during the more active solar maximum<\/a>, the Sun tends to have lots of sunspots. While auroras occur throughout the solar cycle, they are more frequently spectacular during solar maximum. More sunspots means more chances for storms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n