�Beauty� of sunspots revealed by supercomputers

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Scientists simulated this physical process in a computer model running on NCAR's "bluefire" supercomputer. In this visualization of the model, red areas show outflow from the inner towards the outer edge of the penumbra, with strongest color showing a rate of nearly 5 miles per second

Other Images from this Gallery

The beauty of sunspots has been revealed through the use of supercomputers (Photos: Matthi...

This 3D schematic highlights some of the magnetic field lines in one sunspot's penumbra. T...

These four simulations show the transition zone from the umbra (inner region) at right in ...

Article Summary

An international team of scientists led by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has created the first-ever comprehensive computer model of sunspots. It is hoped the use of the supercomputer modeling - the supercomputers undertake 76 trillion calculations per second - will help scientists unlock mysteries of the sun and its impacts on Earth.

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