Question

The outer region of a sunspot, surrounding the umbra, which is not as dark and not as cool as the central region is the _____________.

a) Umbra
b) Penumbra
c) Chromosphere
d) Photosphere

Answer 1

The area surrounding the dark central region (umbra) of a sunspot, which is lighter and not as cool, is the penumbra, making option (b) the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The outer region of a sunspot, surrounding the umbra, which is not as dark and not as cool as the central region is the penumbra. Sunspots are cooler and thus darker regions on the Sun.

When you look at an image of sunspots, like the one taken in July 2012, you can see the darker, central region called the umbra is surrounded by a lighter, less dark region known as the penumbra. This penumbra is not as cool as the umbra, which is the darkest part of the sunspot. The correct answer to this question is option (b) Penumbra.