Sunspots. Optical image of sunspots (dark areas) on the solar disc. Sunspots are regions of the Sun's surface layers that are lower in temperature than surrounding areas,due to the presence of a strong magnetic field. The number of sunspots varies periodically over about 11 years,reaching a maximum along with other solar phenomenon such as flares and coronal mass ejections. This Solar cycle is thought to be caused by interactions between the Sun's different layers,as they rotate at different rates. This image was taken on 20 May,2000,near to a time of maximum sunspot activity,using a Baader white light filter | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Sanford, John |
Taille de l’image : | 4554 px × 3133 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |