NOTES ON SUNSPOT GROUPS Group No 151 - The group of several small, short-lived bipolar pairs of spots passes over the disc between Dec 24,1977 and Jan 4. 152 - The first bipolar pair of the group was born on Dec 26,1977. New activities started on Dec 30 and the group develops rapidly to form a fairly large multiple bipolar group that passed over the western limb. (Cf. group No 167.) 153 - Spot 1 is the return of spot 1 of group 135. In the previous rotation it passed alone the western limb on Dec 12,1977 and crossed the solar disc a second time between Dec 27,1977 and Jan 8. Close to this old spot new spot emergences started during the days of its disc passage. Spot 1.0 and the leader spot 3 of a new bipolar pair appeared within the penumbra of spot 1 for about two days on Dec 29 and Jan 3, respectively. (On Dec 29 and 30 spot 1.0 was not mentioned at all by mistake in DPR 1977. Actually, the small umbrae (U=4 and U=3) in the Extra Data of spot 1 relate to umbra 1.0, while in case of other spots the designation of DPR 1977 should be changed as follows: 1.0 to 1.01, 2.0 to 2.01, 2.2 to 2.02, 1.1 to 1.02, 2.12 and 2.1 to 2.0.) 154 - The group entered the disc as two bipolar pairs of spots. North of their leader spots a third, however, almost reversed polarity spot- pair (5&6) also developed from Jan 1 (which on Jan 6 seems to be quite similar to the spot-pair 5&6 of group 153). By Jan 8 only three diminished main p-spots remained, however, on the next day spot 1 alone passed round the western limb. 163 - Cf. group No 184. 164 - In the beginning, for about a one-week period the group only consisted of small unimportant spot-pairs. On Jan 21 a new bipolar pair (9&10) emerged and rapidly developed to a rather important group by Jan 24 when passed the western limb. Its main p-spot returned as the slowly decaying spot 1 of group 187. 167 - Spots 1 and 3 of the group are the survivors of spots 5.1-3 and 3.1-3 of group 152, respectively.Both spots were born on the disc during the previous rotation on Dec 30,1977. Spot 3 died out by Jan 24, lasted 25 days. Spot 1 crosses the solar disc as a quite stable spot, lasting more than 34 days. 171 - On Jan 26, a single one-day spot of unknown polarity was seen west of the group (U=1, U+P=6, B=-30.0, L=167.4). 175 - The group entered the disc as a regular bipolar spot-pair which gradually decays and dies out after passing the central meridian. A second bipolar pair was born and died out on the disc, while the third bipolar pair also emerged on the east side of the disc. Its leader spot developed to a major spot in three days, after passing the western limb returned as spot 1 of group 199 and passed over the disc a second time, i.e. the spot lasted more than 37 days. 180 - The group enters the disc as a large bipolar pair with a major p-spot. The spot-pair gradually disintegrates and finally one part of the p-spot (1.1) decayed alone during the last 5 days. 182 - The group rapidly develops from a young bipolar spot-pair after passing the eastern limb. However, the nearby major p-spot of group 184 obstructed the movement and development of the newly emerged f-spots and resulted the early decay of the group. On Feb 11, a one-day group of unknown polarity spots were observed south-east of spot 4.2 (U=2, U+P=8, B=+14.9, L=78.2 and U+P=1, B=+15.3, L=77.1). 184 - The principal major spot (1) of the group is the return of spot 1.1-3 of group 163, born on the disc on Jan 10 (spot 1.1) and the first time passed the western limb on Jan 17 (spot 1.1-3) as a still growing middle-size spot. It crossed a second time the solar disc gradualy decaying to a middle-size spot between Feb 2 and 14. So, the spot lasted more than 36 days. 186 - The very largest group of the year. The group, born on the far side of the Sun, rotated onto the disc on Feb 5, as a still growing large double bipolar pair of almost regular type. Besides this two large spot-pairs (1&2 and 3&4), a single pair out of the other five bipolar pairs is only worth-while to mention. Its leader (spot 9) emerged within the penumbra of spot 1 on Feb 11, while the trailer (spot 10) suddenly emerged close south of spot 3 on Feb 12. From the next day spots 3 and 10 built a delta-configuration. Only the principal giant spot 1 of this group returned and crossed over the disc a second time, with some tiny unimportant companions, as the large spot 1 of group 209 between March 1 and 16. On Apr 1 it returned onto the disc even a third time as spot 1 of group 234 and died out by Apr 7. This spot lasted more than 61 days. 187 - Cf. group No 164. On Feb 12, north-east of spot 1 a small one-day group of two unknown polarity spots were seen (U=1, U+P=3, B=-20.9, L=349.2 and U+P=1, B=-21.2, L=350.5). 190 - The major spot 1, born on the far side of the Sun, dominated the group. It crossed over the disc and returned alone as spot 1 of group 214 on March 14. A small part of it (1.2) separated on March 18 and died out in two days, while the main part of the spot slowly fades out by March 26. 194 - The group started to develop on the far side of the Sun and already consisted of two bipolar pairs of spots when entered onto the disc on Feb 18. From the old spot-pairs only the largest p-spot (1) remains on Feb 24, by the time two new bipolar pairs develop. The new bipolar pairs (5&6 and 7&8) are well separated in longitude, they seemed as two groups. The middle-size spot 7.12 returned in the next rotation on March 17 as a slowly decaying spot 1 of group 216. This spot was born on the disc on Feb 24 and died out also there by March 26, lasted 30 days. On Feb 26, east of the group a small one-day group of two unknown polarity spots were seen (U+P=1, B=+22.1, L=211.1 and U=1, U+P=2, B=+20.6, L=208.8). 195 - A presumably old, small, slowly decaying spot alone rotated onto the disc on Feb 20, and at the western limb it is still visible as a small x-spot (U+P=1). On Feb 24, south-west of spot 1 a small bipolar pair (3&4) of reversed polarity emerged with a very variable small cluster of p-spots. They died out still on the disc. From Feb 28 a regular bipolar pair (5&6) also develops. Its leader became a major spot in a few days that returns as spot 1 of group 220 and dies out on the disc by March 30. It lasted 29 days. 196 - On Feb 20 a major p-spot (1) entered the disc and grew less only a little when approaching the western limb. In the meantime a small bipolar pair develops and dies out east of it. In the next rotation spot 1 returns alone as a small spot (spot 1 of group 217) and dies out near the central meridian. It lived for much more than 35 days. 199 - Cf. group No 175. 203 - On Feb 23 a spot of unknown polarity was seen (U=0, U+P=5, B=-26.5, L=156.4). This small spot could be perhaps considered as the forerunner of spot 1.2 of Feb 28. 204 - The group was in rapid development when rotated onto the disc. Its leader, spot 1 became a major spot within 3 days and passed the western limb also as a major spot. All other (mainly f-polarity) spots of the group were only small and scattered over a large area, and all faded out before they reached the western limb. 205 - One bipolar spot-pair rotates onto the disc and fades out in a few days, while another small bipolar pair develops and form a long stream-like configuration, which disappears still on the disc. 209 - Cf. group No 186. On March 8, north-east of the group a one-day spot of unknown polarity was also seen (U=1, U+P=2, B=+20.8, L=34.0). 210 - The group rotated onto the disc on March 7-8, consisted of a giant spot (1) and some small bipolar pairs of spots. Spot 3, the largest among them, was close west of spot 1, its supposed follower (4) was already in the phase of decay. On March 19 spot 1, still a major spot, passed alone over the western limb and returned as an already disintegrating small spot 1 of group 238 and completely died out by April 11. The spot lasted much more than 36 days. 211 - This group had the smallest distance from the equator in 1978. The p-part of the group was nearly constant in latitude at -3 deg for the first five days, then during three days it approached the equator to -0.5 deg and died out practically there. The f-part of the group behaved very similarly, however, it moved only to -2 deg of latitude, decayed and faded out earlier by 2 days. All spots of the group belonged to a single bipolar pair. This small group showed a clear-cut regular type of evolution. The group was born on the disc and died out also there in the same rotation in a period of 11 days. 212 - The group rotated onto the disc as an already well developed major bipolar pair (1&2), which gradually decreased and passed the western limb as small spots. In the next rotation only the spot 1 returned as spot 1 of group 244, which disintegrated and died out on the disc. Spot 1 lived for much more than 36 days. In addition, in both rotation there were also other bipolar pairs that consisted of only small and unimportant spots. 214 - Cf group No 190. 215 - The group suddenly emerged near the east limb. It consisted of several bipolar pairs and developed in a quite unusual way. The last bipolar spot-pair (7&8) emerged near the western limb, its p-spot was perhaps the precursor of spot 1 of group 248. 216 - Cf. group No 194. 217 - Cf. group No 196. 220 - Cf. group No 195. 221 - The group appeared on the western half of the disc. It showed a fast development and significant poleward motion before it passed the west limb. In April its spot 1 returned as the only spot of group 249 being a middle-size spot, which markedly grew less while approaching the western solar limb and died out on the far side of the Sun. The spot lived for more than 35 days. In 1978 this spot, with its latitude of -44 deg, was far the farthest spot from the equator in the southern hemisphere. (In the northern hemisphere also only a single spotgroup had such a high latitude during this year. (Cf. group No 394.) 224 - The group consisted of a rapidly developing bipolar pair, its leader spot (1) returned as spot 1 of group 256. The spot emerged and died out on the disc, lasted 31 days. 234 - Cf. group No 186. 235 - The group rotated onto the disc as a bipolar pair of two major spots (1&2). The p-spot slowly diminished during its disc-passage, while the f-spot suddenly erupted overnight on April 7-8 (certainly in consequence of a 2B flare that covered the umbra of spot 2 on April 8 early morning), it disintegrated and as a small spot passed over the western limb. In addition, three important small bipolar spot-pairs also developed in the same region. One of them (3&4) emerged near central meridian, between the main spots 1 and 2, and showed definite poleward motion during its whole life of about a week. The other two spot-pairs emerged close to the large p-spot, displayed rapid development, forming delta-configurations for several days before they reached the western limb. 238 - Cf. group No 210. 240 - The bipolar group emerged on the west side of the disc. It displayed a rapid development in a few days. Its main p-spot, already as a middle-size spot, passed over the western limb and returned as a giant spot in the next rotation. (Cf. group No 266.) 241 - A small old spot entered on the east limb and gradually grew less, while a small bipolar pair developed east of it. All spots of the region died out on the disc, near the western limb. 243 - A small bipolar pair born and died out on the disc. On April 10, east of it two tiny spots of unknown polarity were also seen (U+P=2, B=+12.6, L=357.9). 244 - Cf.group No 212. 246 - The group entered the disc as a middle-size old p-spot (1) accompanied east of it by a multiple bipolar pair (3&4) of small spots extended in longitude more than 10 deg. During the disc-passage three other bipolar pairs of spots also developed. Two of them emerged close to spot 1, spot 6.1 even in its penumbra. Spot 5.2 and 6.2 became finally the largest spots of the group. So, in the vicinity of spot 1 several delta-configurations were formed. The third bipolar pair (9&10) developed already near the west limb, south of the region where the trailer part of the bipolar pair (3&4) disappeared. Its middle-size p-spot (9.1) returned in the next rotation as spot 1 of group 275. 248 - A middle-size old p-spot enters the disc with some small companions. One day later a new small bipolar pair (3&4) starts to develop and after passing the central meridian only spot 1 and spot 3.12 remain. On April 21, two days before they pass over the western limb, east of spot 1 a new p-spot (5) rapidly develops, and grows to a major spot in about 30 hours. (On April 21 at 4:24 UT spot 5 was only a small cluster of two or three tiny x-spots.) 249 - Cf. group No 221. 255 - The group consisted of three bipolar pairs of small spots. All of them were born and developed in succession on the disc. The last one was the most important, which already was in the phase of decay when it passed the western limb. 256 - Cf. group No 224. 257 - The history of the group is similar to that of the group 255. However, the p-spot (5) of the third bipolar pair became a major spot when it passed the western limb. On April 25 a one-day group of two spots of unknown polarity was seen west of the group (U=1, U+P=3, B=+14.6, L=199.8 and U+P=2, B=+15.9, L=197.0). 258 - The group began to develop near to the eastern solar limb simultaneously with group 257 at about 5 deg higher latitude and almost at the same longitude. It became a rather extended group consisted of five multiple bipolar pairs of fairly large spots. It was in decaying phase when passed the western limb. 259 - The group rotated onto the disc as an old single spot of middle-size and began to disintegrate, broken to several pieces and died out on the disc. 260 - The group displayed a very rapid development. Its p-spot was born on April 20, in two days it became a middle-size spot and disappeared by rotation at the western limb. It returned as a small spot 1 of group 276 and died out by May 11, i.e. lasted 21 days. (10 deg west of spot 1 of group 260, the spot 5 of group 248 simultaneously displayed a quite similar rapid development.) 264 - It could be also considered as 2 groups. 265 - The group consisted of only two small f-spots when it rotated onto the disc on April 25. In three days it became a large compact bipolar pair of spots. On May 1 a small new bipolar pair emerged just at the same place where one day earlier the major spot 1 split in two. During the following days the two parts (spots 1.1 and 1.2) moved away from each other with a relative high speed and they separated more than 8 deg in longitude by May 6. (Several flares erupted in this region, among them two class 2B flares in the evening of April 29 and May 1, which covered the umbrae 1 and 1.2, respectively.) The group was still in development near the western limb when the new spot-pair (7&8) emerged and the spot 9 came up already as a middle-size spot, which returned in the next rotation as spot 1 of group 291. 266 - Spot 1 of the group entered onto the solar disc (as the return of spot 1 of group 240) with a small p-spot (3) in phase of decay accompanied by some unimportant f-spots. Spot 1 was still growing, its umbral area has increased by fifty percent in four days simultaneously with the rapid development of the nearby group 265. This area increment was abruptly lost overnight, at that time when the bipolar spot-pair 3&4 suddenly emerged in group 265. This spot 1 and spot 2 of group 265 were approaching each other and from May 4 they seemed to be in a common penumbra. Spot 1 passed over the western limb on May 7 and did not return once more. It lived for more than 33 days. 267 - The group consisted of a dominant old p-spot (1) and a bipolar pair of disintegrating small spots (3.1&4.1) accompanied by some other spot-pairs in an extended nebulous penumbra. The major spot 1 was in a slow decrease, however, showed a significant poleward motion (2 deg in latitutde) during its disc-passage. It passed alone the western limb and returned twice more in the next rotations. (Cf. group Nos 292 and 332.) On May 1 a pair of spots of unknown polarity were also seen (U+P=2, B=+30.2, L=67.3 and U+P=2, B=+29.9, L=65.4). 268 - Roughly in the first half of its disc-passage the group was made up of three bipolar pairs of spots, among them only spot 1 was an important major spot in a slow decay . On April 30 in the penumbra of spot 1 several bright points were seen between 12:30 and 15:00 UT. On May 1 the umbra of spot 1 already was broken and a new bipolar pair (7&8) emerged west of it. On the following days spot 1 disintegrats, and all activity shifts into the region, west of spot 1 where another bipolar pair (9&10) develops forming a delta-configuration near the west limb. On April 29, north-west of spot 1 two close pores of unknown polarity were also seen (U+P=3, B=+28.0, L=61.4). 270 - The positions given for May 1 relates to 13:57 UT. 271 - The group of two bipolar pairs of spots was already in the phase of decay when passed the east limb. It disappeared on the disc. 272 - This characteristic simple group of a single bipolar pair of spots was born on the disc. The leader in its phase of decay alone passed the western limb. 274 - Two conspicuous p-spot came into appearance on the east limb, and although two other bipolar pairs of small spots also emerged later on, the whole group rapidly decayed and almost disappeared on May 13. Cf. group No 275. 275 - Spot 1 of the group, the very probable return of spot 9.1 of group 246, was practically a single, quite stable middle-size p-spot with some occasionally tiny spots. The small f-spots of group 274 were nearby this spot 1 (2-3 deg north-west of it) until May 13. Till this time spot 1 showed a slow north-east motion, however, it abruptly changed the direction of its motion to north-west when group 274 disappeared. In the next rotation spot 1 returned as the single small spot of group 308, and died out on the disc by June 9. Thus it lasted 50 days. 276 - Cf. group No 260. 278 - The group consisted of three bipolar pairs of spots. Two of them started to develop just at the east limb and their p-spots were only significant, however, spot 3 alone reached the middle-size category for a brief period. Only spot 1 lived during the whole disc-passage. 281 - The spot-pair (1.1&2.1) enters the disc accompanied by several other less important spot-pairs and dominates the group until it dies out near the western limb. In addition on May 18 a tiny single spot of unknown polarity was also seen south-west of the group (U+P=1, B=+15.5, L=225.7), while on May 19 south-east of the group a one-day spot of north polarity was observed (U=1, U+P=6, B=+16.0, L=204.6). 284 - An old disintegrating middle-size spot (1) enters the disc accompanied by a small bipolar spot-pair. After a few days a new short-lived bipolar pair of spots of nearly middle-size develops, too. However, on the last day only several y- and x-spots passed the western limb. 285 - An old single middle-size spot was only visible during the whole disc-passage. 291 - The group consisted of three bipolar pairs of spots. The major p-spot of the oldest pair of spots (1&2) was the return of spot 9 of group 265, born on the west limb in the former rotation. The second bipolar pair (3&4), born at the far side of the Sun, rotated onto the disc between this large p-spot (1) and its far f-spots (in about 15 deg longitudinal distance). Close eastward of spot 4 emerged the third bipolar pair (5&6). Its p-spot (5) and spot 4 through their normal motion of development have had a head-on collision and formed a very flare-active delta-configuration. Since the two major p-spots (1 and 3), both at about the same latitude, were in different phase of development, they approached each other and finally became embedded in a common penumbra for some days before passing over the western limb. In the next rotation only spot 3 returned (cf. group No 329). Spot 1 very probably died out on the far side of the disc, lasted much more than 28 days. 292 - The old middle-size spot 1 passed over the solar disc accompanied by three short-lived bipolar pairs of small spots, one of them was reversed polarity. (Cf. group Nos 267 and 332.) 296 - A fairly regular bipolar pair of spots developed by motion and coalescence of small spots. 297 - A small old p-spot (1) and a bipolar pair of spots (3&4) entered the disc. Later on, other bipolar pairs also emerged, however, only the spot-pair 7&8 developed to a middle-size bipolar pair and passed the western limb in the phase of decay in the companion of a newly emerged spot-pair (9&10). 298 - The group of two bipolar pairs of spots was born near the central meridian. The first pair disappeared on the disc, while the other was still developing, and already fairly large when passed the western limb. 301 - All spots of the group emerged in a nice facular ring near the western limb. Cf. group No 323. 305 - On June 1, south-east of the group a tiny spot of S-polarity was seen (U+P=1, B=-28.7, L=0.1). 308 - Cf. group No 275. 310 - On June 7, a one-day spot of N-polarity was seen south of the group (U=1, U+P=2, B=-19.7, L=338.5). 314 - The group started near the central meridian as a tiny bipolar pair of spots. After two days, in the centre of the group a p-spot of a new bipolar pair emerged, which became a major spot in a few days. It starts to move eastward, i.e. towards its own f-spots, and finally it was in contact with it. 319 - On June 12 a sporadic bipolar pair of spots, born on the far side of the Sun, entered onto the disc. Two days later the first spots of a new bipolar pair also began to appear, however, the important p-spot of the group suddenly started only on the 18th when the remnant of the first bipolar pair was observed for the last time. The principal spot 3.1-3 developed by rapid motion and coalescence of newly emerged spots within 4 days. Spot 3.1-3 already passed the western limb as a middle-size spot and returned as the major spot of group 357. Between June 22 and 23 spot 4.3 was stopped in its eastward motion and was pushed back by spot 6 as if it had a rigid-like collision. On June 12 east of spot 2.1 a one-day spot of unknown polarity was also seen (U+P=5, B=+16.5, L=157.2). 320 - An old p-spot entered the disc, its umbra split in two and continuously decayed. In the meantime a small bipolar pair emerged in its close vicinity and died out together with the remnants of spot 1 on the western part of the disc. 323 - Disintegration of a large spot (1), born in the previous rotation near the western limb as spot 1 of group 301. This process of disintegration was accompanied by close new emergence of several bipolar pairs of spots of short duration. All spots of the group disappeared on the disc. The large spot lasted 25 days. 325 - The group of a single bipolar pair was born on the disc. It reached its phase of maximal development in 6 days, however, only the f-spot became a middle-size in umbral area. The group passed the western limb as two small spots of equal size. 327 - A closter of small spots, all of them of leading (S) polarity, emerged and died out on the disc. 329 - Spot 1, the return of spot 3 of group 291, disintegrates surrounded by several small spots and dies out on the disc, last seen on June 24. 330 - A major spot (1) with its already dispersed f-spots and a still developing bipolar pair of spots (3&4) close east of spot 1 enter the disc. For a few days the umbrae of spot 3 are embedded in the north-east part of the penumbra of spot 1. After some days behind spots 1 and 3 new spot-emergences started. The rapid development of the quite extended spot-pair (5&6), especially its p-parts, strongly advanced the disintegration and decay of the large spot 1, finally near the west limb only two very small spots remained from spot 1. In the meantime a short-lived spot-pair of reversed polarity (7&8) also emerged south of spot 1 , while north of it a new bipolar pair (9&10) was the only one, which was still in development when the group passed over the western limb. 332 - Spot 1, the return of spot 1 of group 292, rotated onto the disc accompanied by a small bipolar pair (3&4) west of it. It was in its phase of disintegration and died out near the central meridian by June 26,lasted more than 62 days. Spot 1 during its life showed a significant latitudinal motion between +24 and +26 degs. In its first disc-passage it moved about 2 deg toward north, at the end of the second disc-passage it came back to +24 deg, while in this last rotation it moved again toward north and died out around +26 deg. In the second and third rotations its longitudinal eastward motion was only due to the differential rotation, while in its first transit it had till some intrinsic proper motion, too. The disappearance of spot 1 and that of the bipolar pair (3&4) was very likely advanced by the emergence of a small, reversed polarity spot-pair (5&6) of short duration. 333 - A large bipolar pair (1&2) accompanied by another pair (3&4) of small spots entered the disc. Between their p- and f-parts two other extended bipolar pairs (5&6 and 7&8) developed. In addition, three less important bipolar pairs of spots also emerged, one of them (11&12) north-east of spot 1, while the two short-lived pairs (9&10 and 13&14) south-west of it. (The last one have had reversed polarity.) The major spot 1 was the most stable spot during the whole disc-passage. 335 - A bipolar pair (1&2), already in its phase of decay and the p-spot of a developing bipolar pair (3&4), in a common penumbra with spot 1, enters the disc. Spot 4 simultaneously emerges together with a bipolar pair (5&6) of north-south orientation in the vicinity of spot 2. Later on, in the centre of the group starts the rapidly developing bipolar pair (7&8), which became the largest pair of spot in the group near the west limb, while all other spots almost disappear. On July 1, east of spot 6.0 of the group a one-day spot was also seen (U+P=1, B=+21.4, L=27.2). 337 - On June 27 the data of spots relate to a Kislovodsk plate taken at 3:46 UT. 349 - The group started with a tiny f-spot on the first two days and after an intermittency of two days a single bipolar pair of spots rapidly developed. Near the west limb its p-spot (1.1-3) already became a middle-size spot by motion and coalescence of small spots. It returned in the next rotation as spot 1 of group 379 with almost the same size, after its central meridian passage it disintegrated and dies out on the disc, lasted 28 days. 353 - On July 13 two tiny spots of unknown polarity were also seen east of spot 4 of the group (U+P=1, B=-20.5, L=193.6 and U+P=1, B=-20,3, L=192.5). 357 - During the whole disc-passage the group was dominated by the giant spot 1, the return of spot 3.1-3 of group 319. In its penumbra, north-west of the large umbra (1) an other important bipolar pair (3&4) emerged and developed. The f-part of this bipolar pair remained in the penumbra of spot 1 for the whole disc-passage, they built a strong delta-configuration, showing extremely high flare activity and produced even a white-light flare and gamma-ray bursts, too. (Cf. Dezso et al. 1980, Sol.Phys. 67, 317) In the next rotation only a small remnant of spot 1 returned. (Cf. group No 387.) 366 - A small, old f-spot rotated onto the disc and dies out after six days. Meanwhile it moved westward by 2 deg. During its last three days, close to it a small bipolar spot-pair (3&4) emerged. After the disappearance of the old spot (2) a new bipolar pair (5&6) develops. Its p-spot passed alone the western limb. 369 - In the first six days the group only consisted of some pores, while later on a bipolar pair of spots emerged. On July 18, west of the group a one-day group of a bipolar pair of spots was also seen (U=1, U+P=1 of N-polarity, B=+11.9, L=112.3 and U+P=2 of S-polarity, B=+10.3, L=111.2). 379 - Cf. group No 349. 381 - An old p-spot (1) rotated onto the disc with a small f-spot. On the next day a new bipolar pair starts to develop. Within 3 days its p-spot (3) moves into the penumbra of spot 1 and remains there during the whole disc-passage. In the meantime three other bipolar spot-pairs also emerged. (It often happens that two umbrae of the same polarity belonging to different bipolar pairs are embeddd in a common penumbra for sometime, e.g. cf.group 386.) 386 - The group of 7 bipolar pairs of spots was born on the far side of the Sun and also died out there. Spot 1 and 3 of the same polarity moved into a common penumbra and between them some kind of collision took place. Near the cross-point of their course the smaller spot 1 was deflected by the larger spot 3 between Aug 8 and 10. On Aug 10, west of spot 3 a one-day group of spots was also seen (U+P=1, B=-25.8, L=181.8 and U+P=3 of N-polarity, B=-27.1, L=182.0). 387 - Spot 1 is the remnant of the giant naked-eye spot of group 357, born in group 319 and last seen on Aug 8. It was a spot of 52-day duration. Group 387 seems to be a reversed polarity group. However, one should take into account that in the vicinity of a disappearing great spot small ephemeral spots often emerge and sometimes they give the impression that a reversed polarity group came into being. 394 - This group with its latitude of +43.8 deg was in the northern hemisphere in the greatest distance from the equator in 1978. (Cf. also group No 221.) In spite of this fact the principal bipolar pair of spots (1&2) of the group showed a very characteristic, regular evolution. At the end of its life the p-spot returned close to the place of its emergence. 399 - Rapid development of a single bipolar pair of spots. 403 - On Aug 28 south-east of the group two close tiny spots of N-polarity were also seen (U+P=2, B=-19.3, L=308.0). 405 - Three regular bipolar pairs of spots successively emerge within a few days. The first one already rotated onto the disc. The third one had a sudden emergence, its p-spot became a middle-size spot and alone passed the western limb. All three bipolar pairs show a typical diverging motion and their f-spots displayed significant poleward drift. 410 - A well-developed bipolar pair (1&2) enters the disc with a middle-size p-spot and a major f-spot. Between them a new pair (3&4) of small spots emerges on the next day and reaches its maximum development by the third day when in front of spot 1 the bipolar group 414 suddenly erupts. The p-spot of group 414 develops to a major spot in one day, while its f-spot becomes larger than the neighbouring spot 1 of group 410. Consequently, the old group starts to decline and near the west limb only the spot 1 remains (practically in a common penumbra with spot 2 of group 414). 412 - Four large bipolar pairs of spots extended over about 20 deg in longitude. Only one bipolar pair (1&2) rotated onto the disc and the other three pairs emerged in rapid succession between spots 1 and 2. During the disc-passage three main f-spots (2,4,6) were embedded in the largest penumbra of the group at least for two days. 414 - A rapid developing single bipolar pair of spots (cf. group No 410). While spot 1 approached the western limb, a small part of it was broken away and the remnant (spot 1.1), still a major spot, returned as spot 1 of group 445. 416 - A decaying small spot. 421 - A decaying, bipolar pair of middle-size spots (1&2) enters the disc. During the disc-passage between the old spots a new small short-lived bipolar pair of spots emerges. Spot 1 alone passes over the western limb as a small spot. 424 - A major spot 1 crosses the disc with some small companions. (Cf. group No 462.) 425 - An old bipolar pair (1&2) with a quite stable middle-size p-spot and a new bipolar pair nearby the decaying f-spot enter the disc. Only spot 1 passed over the western limb. 426 - The giant p-spot of the group passed over the disc showing only a slow decrease and lasted for two more rotations (cf. group Nos 472 and 520). It was accompanied by several small nearby spots and its much smaller f-spot followed it in about 15 deg longitudinal distance, and all of them disappeared on the disc after central meridian passage. 429 - On Sep 16 west of the group a one-day spot of unknown polarity was also seen (U+P=2, B=+19.5, L=46.0). 430 - A bipolar pair of two well-defined spots (1.1&2.1) rotated onto the disc and both became major spots within two days. In the meantime, several new spots belonging to other bipolar pairs also developed. They formed even several delta-configurations, since almost all umbrae were practically embedded in three large penumbrae for several days making the impression of a large complex sunspot group. After central meridian passage the group showed a clear regular structure, extended more than 15 deg in longitude. At the western limb spot 1.1 was still a major spot, but all other spots except spot 2.1 nearly disappeared. 432 - An old, slowly decaying p-spot (1) rotated onto the disc. After four days two small bipolar pairs emerged close to it and disturbed its usual motion. 435 - An old, decaying middle-size spot rotated onto the disc and died out near the western limb. In the meantime, close to it several scattered small spots emerged, among them a short-lived bipolar pair of reversed polarity also existed for three days. All these disturbed the usual motion of the old spot 1. 439 - The group consisted of three bipolar pairs of spots which emerged in succession. The first p-spot (1.1) born near the eastern limb and passed alone over the western limb as a middle-size spot (1.12) and returned as spot 1 of group 487. 442 - On Oct 2, north of the group a one-day group of two unknown polarity spots were also seen (U+P=1, B=-15.3, L=242.3 and U+P=2, B=-13.3, L=238.4). 444 - A small decaying spot which died out near central meridian. 445 - Spot 1, the remnant of group 414, is still a major spot when enters the eastern limb. It crossed over the disc in a slow decay and passed the western limb as a middle-size spot, lasted much more than 37 days. 451 - An old spot already disintegrated enters the disc and dies out on the disc. 453 - Two still developing bipolar pairs of spots rotated onto the disc when their p-spots, the middle-size spot 1 and the small spot 3 are embedded in a common penumbra. Later on, close north-west of spot 1 two other bipolar pairs of several small spots also emerge and after central meridian passage they form with the giant spot 1.1-3 a large complex spot of several delta-configurations without any significant spot motion. In the next rotation spot 1.1-3 returns as spot 1 of group 503. 455 - The group started with the emergence of a small f-spot (2). Next day spot 1 was observed at the first time, just before the group passed over the western limb. It was already seen as quite a large spot (U+P=50), consequently it was reasonable to suppose that it will return in the next rotation. (Cf. group No 486.) 457 - For six days only a few small spots intermittently appeared as precedents before the bipolar spot-pair (1&2) emerged near the western limb. Spot 1 returned in the next rotation as the single small spot 1 of group 504 and died out on the disc, lasted 21 days. 460 - On Oct 8, north-west of spot 1 two close tiny spots of S-polarity was also seen (U+P=3, B=+15.6, L=142.7). 462 - Spot 1 as a single spot enters the disc, it is the return of spot 1 of group 424. Later on, west of it a bipolar pair of small spots emerges, which disappeares before spot 1 passes over the western limb as a small spot. Spot 1 lived for much more than 41 days. 463 - Two old p-spots rotated onto the disc. The slowly decreasing middle- size spot 1 crossed over the disc, while the small spot 3 disappeared in a few days. In their vicinity some other insignificant tiny spots were also seen from time to time. 468 - The first bipolar pair (1&2) emerged near central meridian. On the same day the first sign of spot 3 was also seen. The group displayed a very rapid development and in the phase of its maximal development it had three bipolar spot pairs. In two of them the main p- and f-spots were of major size, while the third bipolar pair of small spots developed among them. Spot 3 was the only spot that returned in the next rotation as spots 1.1 and 1.2 of group 507. They died out on the disc, lasted 30 days. 469 - The first bipolar pair (1&2) emerged at the eastern limb and only spot 1 passed the central maridian when the first spots of the second bipolar pair (3&4) started to develop. Spot 3.12 alone reached the major size and returned in the next rotation as spot 1 of group 517, which died out already on the eastern side of the solar disc, lasted 26 days. 471 - An old decaying p-spot, already divided in two, and a small bipolar pair of spots close to it entered the disc. The group disappeared on the disc. 472 - The major spot 1, the remnant of spot 1 of group 426, passed over the disc gradually decreasing and returned in the next rotation as the small spot 1 of group 520 that died out on the disc in a few days, lasted much more than 63 days. 475 - The group was born on the disc and developed to a large group of two bipolar pairs within five days. The main spots of the principal bipolar pair, spots 1.12 amd 2.12, passed the western limb as a major and middle-size spots, respectively. While the other bipolar pair of spots almost disappeared. 477 - The group consisted of three regular bipolar pairs of spots. The pairs were born and developed on the disc in succession so that spots 3&4 between spot 1&2, spots 5&6 between spots 3&4. Only spots 1 and 3.12 reached a middle-size umbral area, the latter on Oct 20 when the third bipolar pair was in its phase of maximal development. By the next day spot 3.12 "caught up" the already decaying spot 1 in their westward motion and were embedded in a common penumbra. In the next rotation spot 3.12 returned as the single spot of group 518 and was a major spot during its whole disc-passage, however, it died out on the far side of the Sun. It lived for much more than 37 days. On Oct 19, south-west of spot 1 a little one-day spot of unknown polarity was seen (U+P=2, B=-22.2, L=15,9). 480 - A disintegrated old p-spot rotated onto the disc and died out near the western limb. Most of the time of its disc passage it was accompanied by some tiny spots. On Oct 16 south of the group a one-day group of three close little spots of unknown polarity were also seen (U+P=4, B=+14.8, L=327.0). 482 - On Oct 18 north of the group a one-day spot of unknown polarity was also seen (U+P=1, B=+15.4, L=6.6). 484 - A middle-size p-spot (1) passed over the solar disc. Till the central meridian it was accompanied by its f-spot (2) being in its ultimate phase of development and by some newly emerging small bipolar pairs. 486 - Spot 1, the return of spot 1 of group 455, was already steadily decreasing when it emtered onto the disc with some unimportant companions. It lived for more than 28 days. 487 - Spot 1 is the return of spot 1.12 of group 439. It continuously decreases and dies out near the western limb, lasted 28 days. In the meantime a small spot of following polarity emerged and lasted for a three day duration at about 10 deg eastward of spot 1, at the same place where in the previous rotation there was also a little f-spot for a few days. 488 - The group of three pairs was dominated by the giant p-spot (1), which disintegrated during its disc-passage and passed over the west limb as two small spots. 494 - A disintegrating major p-spot (1) crossed over the disc accompanied by two bipolar pairs of small spots, and as a small spot alone passed over the western limb. (The history of this group is very similar to that of the group 488.) 496 - The group was born on the disc and passed over the western limb as a simple bipolar pair of small spots. In the next rotation its p-spot (1) returns as a major spot (1) of group 528 with some unimportant companions, and dies out on the western limb, lasted 36 days. 498 - During the whole disc-passage the group was almost consisted of a very slowly decreasing dominant major spot 1 with some unimportant, short-lived small and tiny spots. Spot 1 returned in the next rotation as the only small spot of group 533 and died out in three days. It certainly lived for much more than 31 days. On Nov 2, a one-day group of a bipolar pair was also seen about 4 deg south-east to spot 1.03. (U=2, U+P=4 and U=0, U+P=2 of S-polarity, B=-22.2 L=199.0; and U=1, U+P=4 of N-polarity, B=-21.2, L=196.2) 500 - The group contained practically only small spots of f-polarity. Not more than one or two pores could be of p-polarity. The group may be a revival of the small bipolar group 456 of 4 days, in which the f-polarity was also dominant. 503 - The decreasing middle-size spot was the return of the principal p-spot of group 453. After central meridian passage it was alone and passed the western limb as a small spot, lasted more than 40 days. The group seemd to be a reversed polarity group in its first two days (similarly to group 387). 504 - Cf. group No 457. 507 - Cf. group No 468 and group No 509. 509 - The group of two bipolar pairs of spots was born on the disc. The first spot-pair rapidly developed and in three days both (p- and f-) spots became of middle-size. Then the f-spot (2.12) was only about 2 deg north of the old spot (1.1) of group 507. In the following three days, the old spot of group 507 disappeared, while group 509 also grew less and died out on the disc two days later. 513 - The first spots of the group were born on the east limb and within 3 days the group rapidly developed to a large group of two bipolar pairs of spots. Its two principal p-spots were already embedded in a common penumbra, and both of them became major spots by the next day. Later on, two new bipolar pairs of small spots also emerged in succession, however the whole group passed the western limb in its phase of decay. 514 - On Nov 4 the polarities of both spots were determined at the Mt.Wilson Observatory. Accordingly the group, lasting for two days, could be considered as a truly reversed polarity group. 515 - A giant slowly decreasing p-spot (1) rotated onto the disc with the remnant of its f-part (that disappeared by two days). Later on, a new bipolar pair (3&4) also developed north of it and reached the phase of its maximal development before it passed the western limb. At that time both p-spots (1 and 3.12) were major spots with an almost equal size. The old spot 1 returned for two more rotations (cf. group Nos 550 and 589). 517 - Cf. group No 469. 518 - Cf. group No 477. 520 - Cf.group Nos 426 and 472. 521 - The group was born on the disc as a regular bipolar pair of spots. Near the western limb the p-spot (1) became a middle-size spot when spot 2 already decreased and disappeared by the next day, while close to it a new bipolar pair emerged. 523 - The group of two days showed reversed polarity on the first day according to a polarity determination at the Yunnan Observatory. Cf. group No 514. 526 - On Nov 15, north of the first spots of the group a one-day spot of unknown polarity was also seen (U+P=2, B=+15.8, L=330.7). 528 - Cf. group No 496. 533 - Cf. group No 498. 538 - The group entered the disc as a major p-spot and in a large distance several small spots of f-polarity. The f-part of the group was about 2 deg north of a giant p-spot, the only spot of the neighbouring group 540, and completely disappeared after central meridian passage. Both large spots of groups 538 and 540 also decreased somewhat after central meridian passage and passed the western limb as middle-size spots. 540 - Cf. group No 538. 542 - One rapidly developing bipolar pair was born on the disc, not far from the western limb. Within 4 days the group almost consisted of only two giant spots that passed the western limb. /On Nov 27 a one-day spot of unknown polarity was also seen north-east of the group (U+P=2, B=+15.8, L=212.0)./ Both giant spots (1.1-3 and 2.23) returned in the next rotation as spot 1 and spot 2 of group 566, respectively. Then spot 2 was already a decreasing small spot that disappeared near the western limb, lasting 29 days. This spot was found as the only recurrent f-spot in 1978 and that of the first one in Cycle No 21. While the returned spot 1, still a giant spot, crossed over the whole disc generally decreasing, however, it passed the western limb still as a major spot and returned again for a whole disc-passage in the period of Jan 12-24, 1979. So, it lasted more than 59 days. 543 - On Nov 27 the positions relate to a Debrecen heliogram taken at 8:36 UT. 545 - A bipolar pair with a middle-size p-spot (1.1) enters the disc still in its phase of development. This p-spot rapidly develops to a major spot (1.12), and passes alone the western limb. In the meantime two other short-lived bipolar pairs of small spots also emerge. The f-part of the group never became an important one and died out on the disc, very likely because of the closeness of the p-spot of group 547. The principal p-spot (1.12) crossed the Sun's disc a second time as a middle-size spot 1 of group 580 between Dec 25 and Jan 6, 1979. It lived for much more than 40 days. 547 - When the group entered the disc, the group contained two bipolar pairs of small spots in the phase of decay. On the third day a new bipolar pair (5&6) suddenly emerged and developed. Its main p-spot (5) dominated the group over the whole disc-passage and passed alone the western limb. (Cf. also group 545.) On Dec 4, south-east of spot 6.02 a one-day group of two spots was also observed (U=1, U+P=4, B=-26.2, L=78.6 and U+P=1, B=-25.3, L=78.5). 550 - The major p-spot (1), the return of spot 1 of group 515, practically lonely crossed the disc in slow decay and passed the western limb as a middle-size spot. It returned third time on the east limb as the only small spot of group 589, and died out on the disc on Jan 2, 1979. The spot lasted much more than 60 days. (In its last two disc-passages this spot was old enough without any intrinsic proper motion, being quite alone, far enough from any other spots, therefore it showed truly the differential rotation.) 552 - The first bipolar pair of the group suddenly emerged near the central meridian and in the following days two other bipolar pairs also developed. The group reached the phase of its maximal development near the western limb. Spot 1.12 and spot 3.12 became middle-size and major spots, respectively. Both of them returned by the next rotation as spot 1 and spot 3 of group 577, when they were in their ultimate decaying phase and died out on the disc. Spot 1 was last seen on Dec 29, lasted 27 days, while spot 3 was last seen on Jan 4, 1979, lived for 32 days. 554 - The group entered the disc as a well-developed, large bipolar pair of spots (1&2) accompanied by a small new bipolar pair (3&4). Spot 1 was already a giant spot at its first appearance, and generally decreased during its disc-passage, however, it was still a major spot two days before it passed the western limb. While spot 2 has had a rapid growth and passed the western limb as a giant spot. In the meantime, close north-west of spot 2 was born the third bipolar spot-pair (5&6) so, that spot 5 emerged actually in the common penumbra of spots 2 and 4.0 and built almost a delta-configuration first with spot 4.0, and on the next day with spot 4.1. In the same time spot 6 could not have a normal development, certainly because of the neighbouring group 557 and the close emergence and rapid development of group 561. No doubt that these three groups (554, 557 and 561) mutually disturbed each other. The most spectacular disturbance could have been that spot 3.1 of group 561 in the course of its westward motion caught up spot 2 of group 554 by Dec 16. Umbra 3.1 was on the perimeter of the penumbra of spot 2 by Dec 18 and the two spots passed the western limb practically in a common penumbra. Spot 2 alone returned for a second disc-passage in the period of Jan 3-15, 1979. This was the second recurrent f-spot in Cycle No 21. 555 - The group was born at the central meridian as a tiny bipolar pair of spots. After an intermittency of one day it showed an extremely rapid development, and within four days became a large compact group of three bipolar pairs with three major spots. However, only the largest spot (1) returned in the next rotation as spot 1 of group 590 which crossed over the disc as a middle-size spot and died out on the far side of the Sun. It lasted more than 35 days. 556 - The first bipolar pair of spots of the group was born near the east limb, and in a few days spots 1.1-3 and 2.1 became of major size. Within this pair two other bipolar pairs of small spots also developed. During its westward motion spot 5.1 caught up the penumbra of spot 1.1-3 and they were embedded in a common penumbra for some days. When the group passed the western limb, spot 1.1-3 was still a major spot, while spot 5.12 was a small spot but still in the phase of development. These two spots returned in the next rotation as small spots (3 and 5) of group 595 on Jan 3, 1979, and both of them died out on the disc. Spot 1.1-3 and spot 5.12 of group 556 lived for 36 days and 30 days, respectively. 557 - The group could not develop in a usual manner, probably because it was close to the giant f-spot of group 554, about 5 deg north of it. 559 - The group of two bipolar pairs of spots suddenly emerged. The principal p-spot (1.12) became a major spot and passed the western limb practically alone, while all other spots of the group could not normally develop, because the major p-spot of group 554 was too close. 560 - A major p-spot crossed over the solar disc accompanied with a few occasional unimportant tiny spot on some days. It returned in the next rotation, in the period of Jan 8-14, 1979 and died out on the disc, lasted more than 35 days. On Dec 15, south-west of spot 1 a one-day group of two spots of unknown polarity was seen (U+P=2, B=-27.8, L=278.9 and U+P=1, B=-28.1, L=277.0). 561 - Cf. group No 554. 563 - A middle-size p-spot and some small spots of f-polarity suddenly emerged near the central meridian. However, the group only lasted four days, certainly because its main spot (1) was very close (about 2 deg eastward) of the f-part of group 561. 564 - On Dec 20, east of the group two small one-day spots of unknown polarity were also seen (U+P=2, B=-21.5, L=244.8). 566 - Cf. group No 542. 577 - Cf. group No 552. 580 - Cf. group No 545. 582 - On Dec 27, west of spot 1.1 a one-day spot of unknown polarity was also seen (U=2, U+P=4, B=-20.3, L=200.7). 583 - The group of four bipolar pairs of spots was born on the east side of the disc. Its principal p-spot (3.12) passed the western limb on Jan 7, 1979 as a major spot and returned for a second disc-passage in the period of Jan 22-Feb 4,1979, lasted much more than 37 days. 589 - Cf. group Nos 515 and 550. 590 - Cf. group No 555.