Sunspots Sunspots appear as dark spots on the surface of the Sun. They typically last for several days, although very large ones may live for several weeks. Sunspots are magnetic regions on the Sun with magnetic field strengths thousands of times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field.
Sunspots usually come in groups with two sets of spots.
One set will have positive or north magnetic field while the other set will have negative or south magnetic field. The field is strongest in the darker parts of the sunspots - the umbra. The field is weaker and more horizontal in the lighter part - the penumbra. Click on image for larger version. Faculae Faculae are bright areas that are usually most easily seen near the limb, or edge, of the solar disk.