What process suppresses convective flow, causing dark patches known as sunspots to appear on the Sun?

Answer

Intense magnetic fields have suppressed the convective flow of heat from the interior

Sunspots are observable features on the Sun's photosphere that appear dark because they are cooler than the surrounding plasma. This localized cooling is a direct result of powerful magnetic fields emanating from the star's interior. These intense magnetic field lines become concentrated in specific regions, effectively pinning down the plasma. This magnetic pressure inhibits the normal convective churning—the process where hot material wells up and cooler material sinks—preventing the usual flow of heat to the visible surface in that particular area. These dark regions are often encircled by brighter areas called faculae, which signify regions of intense local magnetic activity.

What process suppresses convective flow, causing dark patches known as sunspots to appear on the Sun?

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