"John C. McConnell has confirmed that there are currently TWO large
sunspots visible to the unaided protected eye. "Unaided protected eye" means
he observed these sunspots using a suitable solar filter but without the aid
of binoculars or a telescope. ALWAYS use an acceptable solar filter when
viewing the Sun, or use a safe solar image projection technique."

"The sunspots visible to the unaided eye are identified as Regions 197
and 198. Region 197 is the northern-most spot - a single large symmetrical
umbra surrounded by a nearly symmetric penumbra. Region 198 is a bit more
complex and consists of multiple umbra surrounded by a slightly asymmetrical
penumbra. Region 198 has produced some minor M-class x-ray flares
over the last 24 hours. These small, but moderately energetic solar
explosions could involve coronal mass ejections capable of affecting
geomagnetic and auroral activity at the Earth. There is one event in
particular today that is being investigated as a possible Earth-ward directed
coronal mass ejection."

"Also of potential interest to solar observers having telescopic solar
prominence filters or hydrogen-alpha filters installed is the large
quiescent prominence that is visible off the eastern solar limb."

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Time to put the arc welding helmet on. Need to buy a solar filter for the tele.
SteveS