What Is A Sunspot?

combined data sets showed how magnetic field lines within the sun emerge at the surface as small bundles called pores. When two of these pores approach one another, they squeeze the plasma between them into a long structure called a light bridge. Eventually, as the squeezing continues, the bridges merge into a single, large sunspot.

The process of breaking and reconnecting the magnetic field lines triggers violent explosions that cause plasma to jet into the atmosphere. The magnetic fields can also trigger much bigger solar flares. Solar flares are the largest explosions in the solar system, and are so powerful they can actually disrupt our technological infrastructure here on Earth. X-rays from flares can interfere with radio communications, UV radiation can create more drag on satellites in orbit, and radio emission can actually make GPS measurements less precise.

[link to www.popsci.com]