SUNSPOTS

This image shows a high-resolution view of the visible solar surface, the so-called photosphere (sphere of light), disclosing two magnificent flower-shaped sunspots. Sunspots are actually very bright but appear dark compared to their surroundings because of their lower temperature.

Credit: Göran Scharmer and Kai Langhans, ISP. Image processing: Mats Löfdahl, ISP; Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.