SUNSPOTS

8.3 light-minutes

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.

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