Dr Andrew Gascoyne – Dark Spots, Bright Stories: A Journey Through the History of Sunspots

Dr Andrew Gascoyne from the University of Wolverhampton will give a talk on sunspots:

Sunspots have long served as a window into the dynamic processes of our nearest star.  This talk delves into the rich history of sunspot observations, from early Chinese and Islamic records to the telescopic breakthroughs of Galileo and Scheiner. We’ll examine the evolving understanding of sunspots as magnetic phenomena tied to the solar cycle, and how their patterns have helped shape modern solar physics.  Attendees will gain insight into the 11-year sunspot cycle, the Maunder Minimum, and the tools – both historical and modern – used to observe sunspots. Join us to explore how these seemingly dark blemishes have illuminated our understanding of the Sun’s complex behaviour.