What Are Sunspots — and Why They Matter

Sunspots are small dark regions on the Sun’s surface where intense magnetic fields slow the upward flow of heat. Though they appear dark, each one still burns at thousands of degrees Fahrenheit and serves as a window into the Sun’s magnetic behavior.

When these magnetic fields become unstable, they can release enormous energy as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). While ND5 white-light filters do not show flares directly, they allow observers to see the sunspot regions where this activity begins — the roots of solar storms.

We’re approaching a solar maximum — the most active phase in the Sun’s roughly 11-year cycle — which means more sunspots, more complex magnetic patterns, and more opportunities to explore solar dynamics safely from home.

With a properly designed Seymour Solar ND5 white-light solar filter that has been tested to meet the transmission limits outlined in ISO 12312-2 for safe solar viewing, you can safely observe these fascinating features. Always inspect your filter before use and never look at the Sun without proper protection.

Stay tuned for more educational resources and solar-viewing guides from Seymour Solar.