01 Aug 11
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Sunspot 1261 has a "beta-gamma-delta" magnetic field that harbors energy for X-class solar flares. Credit: SDO/HMI
SUNSPOT SUNSET: The biggest sunspots of Solar Cycle 24 are showing themselves through the clouds at sunset. "Yesterday evening we had a nice view of AR1260, AR1261, and AR1263 from my farm east of Plymouth, Iowa," says Steve Yezek. Two of them are circled in this snapshot:
Caution: Even when the sun is dimmed by low-hanging clouds or haze, focused sunlight can still damage your eyes. Do not look at the sun through unfiltered optics of any kind. A White Light Solar Observing System is the best way to monitor these great sunspots.
Sunspot 1261 has a "beta-gamma-delta" magnetic field that harbors energy for X-class solar flares. Any such eruptions today would be geo-effective as the sunspot is squarely facing Earth
