But, he allows, "there is some evidence that they won't." "Sunspot magnetic fields are dropping by about 50 gauss per year," says Penn. "If we extrapolate this trend into the future, sunspots could completely vanish around the year 2015." This disappearing act is possible because sunspots are made of magnetism.

How do sunspots disappear?

The research, which will be published on Thursday in the journal Nature, shows that unusually weak magnetic fields on the sun paired with reduced solar activity cause sunspots to disappear. ... They are caused by intense magnetic activity, or storms, on the sun's surface, which is plasma.

How long do sunspots last on the Sun?

11-year Cycle - Usually!

The duration of the sunspot cycle is, on average, around eleven years.