SUNSPOT #1598

Sunspot 1598 is currently very active. It has already produced a few strong solar flares. If that activity continues, we may see some aurora (Northern Lights) activity as the sunspot turns directly toward Earth...(image captured during a very brief break in the clouds)

The Sun: October 21, 2012

A new sunspot is emerging (left), which holds the potential for M-class (moderate) solar flares....

(Image: Meadowcreek Park Observatory, Marysville, Washington)

The Sun: October 20

Since fall has officially started here in the Northwest, it has been difficult to photograph the Sun.  HOWEVER, I did manage to capture it during a very brief break in the clouds this morning.....

(a very large sunspot is making it's way across, on the left)

There Goes The Sun

The clouds are back here in the Northwest. For the past few days, there has been no sunshine and the forecast calls for our "first real rain storm of the season" on Friday. Needless to say, I am going through withdrawals of not being able to photograph the Sun....and as luck would have it, there are several active sunspots due to appear in the next several days! (Crap)
For those of you who have enjoyed watching the comings-and-goings on the Sun, you can still see the action here.  When the weather is favorable, rest assured that I will have my camera clicking.
Thanks for checking in.

The Sun: Oct. 4

 Although these sunspots are several times larger than Earth, none of them has been actively flaring. (Oct. 4, 2012)