In astronomy, we’re accustomed to waiting days, weeks, or even months to see tiny changes in the appearance or position of heavenly bodies. But if you want to see some real-time action, grab hold of a telescope with a safe solar filter and keep vigil on the Sun for new and emerging sunspots. You just might catch some mysterious white-light phenomena that come and go before your own eyes.
Stephen James O’Meara’s Secret Sky: Magic times on the Sun
July 2009: The new solar cycle just began, which makes the Sun an exciting observing target.