Sunspots
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Sunspot at high spatial resolution (1/3)
Swedish 1m Solar Telescope
This set of images shows the main spot of active region 10425 as observed by the SOUP instrument at the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope on August 9, 2003. The measurements were made in the Fe I 6302 Å spectral line, which has one of the largest magnetic sensitivities among the lines in the visible solar spectrum. The spot was located mid-way between the disk center and the limb, so there are some projection effects. To better visualize the relation between intensities, magnetic fields and velocities in sunspots, pores and active region plage, the reader is encouraged to go through the three maps in rapid sucession.
The continuum image shows a simple, relatively roundish spot embedded in an ocean of granules and intergranular cells. In addition, there are some small pores in the lower right corner, surrounded by active region plage visible as tiny magnetic bright points.
Image credit: Göran Scharmer, Kai Langhans, Mats Löfdahl (ISP/Stockholm)
Text credit: Luis Bellot Rubio (IAA-CSIC)
Source: SST Galleries