An active region is an area on the Sun's surface marked by strong magnetic fields, often associated with sunspots and solar flares. These regions are indicators of intense solar activity and can influence space weather.
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Active regions are often identified by the presence of sunspots, which appear darker due to lower temperatures compared to their surroundings.
These areas are sources of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which can impact Earth's magnetosphere.
The number of active regions on the Sun varies with the solar cycle, peaking during solar maximum.
Strong magnetic fields in active regions can cause loops and prominences as they interact with plasma.
Observing active regions helps scientists predict space weather events that could affect satellite operations and communications on Earth.