  In this letter we identify similarities amongst sunspots and terrestrial
vortices. The dark appearance of the central part of any sunspot is currently
justified by an anticipated cooling effect experienced by the ionized gas.
However, it cannot single-handedly reconcile the halo that surrounds the
penumbra, the subsequent second dim ring that could be possibly followed by a
second halo. In antithesis, light refraction due to density variations in a
compressible whirl can give reason for all of these manifestations. Certain
data of Wilson's depression fit better the geometric depth profile of a
two-celled vortex. The last provides a hurricane equivalent manifestation for
the normal and reverse Evershed effect. There is compelling evidence that alike
to atmospheric vortices sunspots do also spawn meso-cyclones.
