Figure 16-20: Variations in the Average Latitude of Sunspots The dots in this graph (sometimes called a “butterfly diagram”) record how far north or south of the Sun’s equator sunspots were observed. At the beginning of each sunspot cycle, most sunspots are found near latitudes 30° north or south. As the cycle goes on, sunspots typically form closer to the equator.

(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)