Hi Ms. Dorf's class, I wish I've seen this question earlier. Great question! Sunspots are temporary. The last from hours to several days. They emerge from inside the Sun. They first grow in size at their emerging phase, then decay and finally disappear. How do they decay are still active research area, meaning not fully understood. The answer will get too long if I go in more and I am running out of time. Hope this help somewhat. Yan