The three spots on the surface are not dust on my lens - they are sunspots 792, 794 & 795. Sun spots are colder regions on the sun surfaces associated with strong disturbances in the sun's magnetic field. According to spaceweather.com,these spots have a 40% probability of causing an M-class magnetic storm, with significant disturbances in radio communications on earth. The photo was taken near sunset, and the hazy atmosphere provided a very effective filtring.
A very bold photo, I never thought the sun would be so 'smooth-looking' - including the three sunspots. Thanks for the information too, detailing something relatively insignificant could greatly disturb our own planet Earth - quite interesting indeed!
Thanks Sameh :) I only used a polarizer filter, but I don't think it made much difference. Currently we have a very dry, hot weather, with some atmospheric dust coming from North Africa. I think this created a very good natural filter :)
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{K:49168} 8/7/2005
