Sun

Our star is a marvelous orb of seething hot gas. It periodically grows sunspots, “cooler” regions where the magnetic field has become tangled and knotted. Tendrils of plasma called prominences unfurl from the solar limb into space, sometimes making the Sun look like a hairy ball when viewed through a telescope.

You should never gaze directly at the Sun through binoculars or a scope without a proper filter, because the lens magnifies the light so much that it could damage your eyes. But with the proper solar gear, you can observe the Sun at your leisure.

We’ve pulled together all the tips you’ll need to safely observe the Sun. We also have information on how to observe and sketch sunspots.