Sunspots on the Sun (IMAGE) NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Caption Sunspots on the sun are areas of complex and intense magnetic fields, which can produce eruptions on the sun such as solar flares. Each is labeled by NOAA with a number. Active region 2241 erupted with a mid-level flare on Dec. 18, 2014. Credit NASA/SDO/HMI/TheSunToday Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.