It\'s not surprising that sunspots（太阳黑子）were observed by ancient astronomers（天文学家）. The largest soupspoon the sun can be seen without a telescope. It was not until the invention of the telescope（望远镜）in the early 17th century, however, that systematic studies of sunspots could be undertaken. The great astronomer Galileo was among the first to make telescopic observations of sunspots.