Viewing our nearest star with a telescope as small as a 60mm with the proper filter can reveal dark area’s known as Sun Spots. These are magnetic storms, which are cooler than the surrounding Surface, (but still hot enough to vaporize most matter on earth).
Sunspot activity waxes and wanes over an 11 year cycle. The last peak was in 1989. The begining of 1999 has seen a flurry of sunspot activity and this activity is expected to increase as the next year approaches.
You’ll notice that many sunspots have a dark inner region, called the umbra, surrounded by a lighter area called the penumbra. You can track these spots as they move across the face of the sun. It takes the sun about 3 ½ weeks for one revolution. On clear days when the atmosphere is steady, the surface can look course or granular. This is caused by columns of upwelling gases.
USE EXTREME CARE WHEN VEIWING THE SUN The intensity of the light magnified through the scope can cause the retina to be instantly destroyed causing permanent blindness. Always use a professionally made aluminized solar filter. DO NOT USE FILTERS THAT ATTACH TO THE EYEPEICE that may be supplied in some small scopes. They are extremly unsafe, sitting right at the focal point where the suns energy is concentrated, the heat can crack the filter instantly frying your eye.
Cover the front of your finder scope also. Crosshairs exposed to Sunlight can melt in just a few seconds. With a proper solar filter and other common sense precautions, you can view the sun safely for hours.
Filters can be purchased from a variety of manufacturers in any size. A 90mm – average cost - $65.00. A 10" - cost $140.00. I’ve seen them in yellow tint, blue, green and white. It all depends on your own choice. This is a extra that you will want.