Autographs of the sun, 1861-1863

Autographs of the sun, 1861-1863. Parts g, h and i from a booklet containing '10 Autographs of the Sun, taken with the Heliantograph of the Reverend William Selwyn at Ely by John Titterton, photographer'. All three images show areas of sunspot activity. Sunspots are relatively cool areas on the Sun's surface, the photosphere. The number of sunspots is greatest at the point in the cycle of solar activity known as the 'solar maximum', which occurs roughly every 11 years. They form when magnetic field lines below the surface become twisted and protrude through the photosphere. Sunspots are closely associated with solar flares, sudden outbursts of energy which extend far into the Sun's atmosphere. ©SSPL/National Media Museum