On the Thermal Structure of Sunspots

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Abstract
The Biermann theory of sunspot cooling through inhibition of convection is compared with Parker's theory of cooling through the conversion of heat into Alfvén waves. Parker's criticisms of the inhibition theory are shown to lose most of their force when a more realistic version of that theory is considered. Parker's own theory is shown to be unacceptable on both hydromagnetic and thermodynamic grounds, as well as because it does not explain where the missing energy reappears. There appears to be no reason to abandon the inhibition theory.