Infrared photometry of solar active regions

Simultaneous time series of broad-band images of two active regions close t o the disk center were acquired at the maximum (0.80 mum) and minimum (1.55 mum) continuum opacities. Dark faculae are. detected in images obtained as weighted intensity differences between both wavelength bands. The elements of quiet regions can be clearly distinguished from those of faculae and po res in scatter plots of brightness temperatures, There is a smooth transiti on between faculae and pores in the scatter plots. These facts are interpre ted in terms of the balance between the inhibition of convective energy tra nsport and the lateral radiative heating.