View sunspots the easy way

You can observe sunspots – magnetic storms on the surface of the Sun – safely by projecting an image of the Sun onto a paper or card screen using just a pair of binoculars. If you have a clear view of the Sun for several days in a row you can watch how the sunspots change their shape and size as they are carried across the Sun’s face by its rotation.

1

Select a piece of white paper or card to use as a screen – make sure it is very clean, without any patterns or blemishes.

2

Cover up one of the lenses of the binoculars so only one image will be projected.

3

Position your screen behind the binoculars.

4

Align your binoculars with the Sun by holding them towards it and moving them around until a bright circle appears on the screen behind them. Do not look through the binoculars.

5

Sharpen the Sun’s image by turning the focusing wheel on the binoculars.

6

Adjust the size of the image of the Sun by moving the binoculars and screen apart.

7

If there is any sunspot activity on the Sun you will see the sunspots as small, dark markings on the bright solar disc.

8

If you can view the sunspots for several days in a row you will be able to see them change shape and size as they are carried across the Sun’s face by the rotation of the Sun.

9

Even if there are no sunspots visible on the Sun when you look, check for any large sunspot groups just coming into view on the edge of the Sun.