FACULÆ, in astronomy, certain bright and shining parts, which the modern astronomers have, by means of telescopes, observed upon or about the surface of the sun: they are but very seldom seen.—The word is pure Latin; being a diminutive of fax, "torch;" and supposed to be here applied from their appearing and disappearing by turns.
The faculæ or bright spots differ very considerably from the maculæ or dark spots, both in light, colour, figure, magnitude, and duration. See MACULÆ; and ASTRON. no 14—18. 33—39.