The past two decades have seen remarkable advances in observations of sunspots and their magnetic fields, in imaging of spots and fields in distant stars and in associated theoretical models and numerical simulations. This book provides a comprehensive combined account of the properties of sunspots and starspots. It covers both observations and theory, and describes the intricate fine structure of a sunspot's magnetic field and the prevalence of polar spots on stars. The book includes a substantial historical introduction and treats solar and stellar magnetic activity, dynamo models of magnetic cycles, and the influence of solar variability on the Earth's magnetosphere and climate. This volume is a valuable reference for graduate students and specialists in solar and stellar physics, astronomers, geophysicists, space physicists and experts in fluid dynamics and plasma physics.

Review of the hardback:‘As the 46th title in the Cambridge astrophysics series, this book on sunspots and starspots lives up to the high standards of many of the titles in this series. Both Thomas and Weiss are well-known experts in the field of spots on both the Sun and other stars … The authors … discuss more recent changes in Earth’s temperature and, following a series of well-reasoned arguments, conclude that global warming by anthropogenic greenhouse gases is indeed a serious problem for mankind.’

Clare Parnell Source: Journal of Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics