Sunspots
This animation shows a large sunspot (officially dubbed sunspot number 720) moving across the face of the Sun as the Sun rotates. The animation spans a period of about two weeks during January 2005. The Sun rotates one full turn every 25 days at the equator, but it rotates slower at the poles, with one rotation every 36 days. Roughly 12 hours elapse per frame of this animation. The images were captured by the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) instrument on the SOHO (Solar & Heliospheric Observatory) spacecraft. MDI images are captured in the red portion of the visible light spectrum, around a wavelength of 6,768 Angstroms. This part of the spectrum is quite good for observing sunspots. The view is comparable to what you would see if you could look at the Sun without damaging your eyes. NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN without taking appropriate safety precautions! (Note: If you cannot see the animation you may need to download the latest QuickTime player.) |
This animation shows sunspots moving across the face of the Sun as the Sun rotates. The animation spans a period of about two weeks during January 2005. If you watch the image, you can see the date changing. The images were captured by an instrument on the SOHO (Solar & Heliospheric Observatory) spacecraft. These images were captured in the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum, so the view is comparable to what you would see if you could look at the Sun without damaging your eyes. NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN without taking the right safety precautions! (Note: If you cannot see the animation you may need to download the latest QuickTime player.) |
This movie shows the Sun. The Sun is rotating. The Sun spins around, like the Earth. There are sunspots on the Sun. As the Sun turns, it carries the sunspots along with it. Look at the movie to the left to see the sunspots move over two weeks in January 2005. This movie is from pictures taken from a satellite. You should never look directly at the Sun! (Note: If you cannot see the movie you may need to download the latest QuickTime player.) |
Page created August 10, 2005 by Randy Russell.
Last modified September 6, 2005 by Jennifer Bergman.
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