Trajectories of magnetic features with latitude φ = 30° (upper panels) and φ = −30° (lower panels) as they would be seen on the solar disc at three different inclinations: i = 90° (panels a) and d)), i = 45° (panels b) and e)), i = 0° (panels c) and f)). In panels b), c), e), and f) the trajectories are drawn for the observer located north of the ecliptic. Left parts of these panels show the trajectories according to our model, while right parts present “real” trajectories (i.e. corresponding to the original distribution of magnetic features). Black horizontal lines indicate the intersection between the observer’s plane and the Sun, the solar disc centre is indicated.