Solar Activity Update

   For the past few weeks, the activity on our Sun has been rather quiet. A few small sunspots would occasionally show up and skitter across the solar surface, but that was about it. A rather boring show, considering that the Sun is about to enter solar maximum. Well, the heat just got turned up a bit.
  The Sun's surface now sports a nice speckling of spots (say that five times fast), but the most noticeable is giant sunspot AR1654. This one is big enough to swallow up the Earth a few times over, and it's getting more active every day. AR1654, along with the smaller AR1652 have potential to release M-class solar flares. Looks like that break in solar activity may be coming to an end.
  If you are interested in taking a peak at the Sun, you can do so easily and rather cheaply. You can purchase white light solar filters for a wide range of telescopes at a reasonable price. For an even better bargain, you can buy solar film and make your own homemade filter. Seeing the Sun up close can be a rewarding experience, but it must be done SAFELY!!! 

   

Make sure your scope has a filter to begin with, as trying to look at the Sun without one will surely fry your eyeballs. And make sure it's the right type of filter. Those cheap solar filters that screw into an eyepiece are NOT safe, as the heat buildup from the sunlight can cause them to crack. The filtering must be done at the front of the telescope. Remember to put the filter on the scope, and make sure it is secure. You don't want the wind to blow it off as your looking through the eyepiece. Don't use the finderscope unless it too has a filter. Cap it or remove it from the telescope. And do not under any circumstances leave your telescope unattended. Accidents can happen, and it only takes a brief second to damage eyesight forever. Be safe!