The sun is at the center of our solar system and is by far the most important source of energy for life on Earth. It is a nearly perfect sphere made up primarily of hydrogen and helium. Sunspots are temporary phenomena that appear as darker spots on the sun's surface, caused by concentrations of magnetic field flux that inhibit convection. To safely observe sunspots, special filters are required when using telescopes or binoculars, as direct observation can damage eyesight.