Is it possible to have a sun with visible phases or cycles?

Is there a scientifically plausible way for a habitable world to have a sun that undergoes a regular, dramatic, and easily observable change? One comparable in visual impact to an event like a solar eclipse or a full moon? Such a change might affect:

• Color.
• Light and heat output.
• Visible texture and shape.
• Solar effects on the terrestrial climate, winds, magnetic field, etc.

The change doesn't neccesarrily have to come from the sun itself. An atmospheric effect would be fine for example. It's more about what it looks like from below.

My goal here is to create a world in which the sun cycles in a way that promotes feelings of intense religious fixation; inspiring dread, awe, submission, etc. So, just as one example, an ideal effect might be if the sun turned dark red for one month every few years, and somehow caused windstorms on the surface of the world, before fading back to normal.

As I don't have the knowledge to guess at the limits of the plausible, I've intentionally made this question a bit wide. Any kind of solar event that accomplishes the aesthetic goal could be very helpful.

posted almost 7 years ago

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