Stirling Astronomical Society Gallery

Solar activity has been increasing over the past two years as the Sun approaches a solar maximum in 2024. Solar cycle 25 began with a minimum in solar activity in 2019, and sunspots have increased in number as we approach the next maximum. This image, taken on 24 March 2024, shows a large group of sunspots near the centre, with several individual sunspots forming two bands across the face of the Sun, one near the equator and one to the north. This image was taken using a ZWO Seestar S50 integrated telescope and imaging system fitted with a specialist solar filter.