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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 2075      2005 Jan 14 16.11UT
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise,  Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP,England.Telephone/FAX(01256)471074Int:+441256471074
INTERNET: GUY@TAHQ.DEMON.CO.UK             GMH at AST.STAR.RL.AC.UK
WORLD WIDE WEB                         http://www.theastronomer.org
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LARGE SUNSPOT
Peter Meadows, TA Solar Editor, reports:

Although we are in the declining phase of the solar cycle and white
light activity has decreased significantly over the last few months, the 
Sun continues to surprise.

A large sunspot (AR 720) has now rapidly developed on the solar disk 
which is easily visible to the protected naked eye. On the 13th it had 
an estimated area of 940 millionths while on the previous day it had an 
area of just 380 millionths (500 millionths is considered to be of naked 
eye size). As it is currently in
the solar eastern hemisphere, it is due to cross the central meridian on 
the 15th (Saturday) and pass around to western solar limb on the 21st.

My latest white light drawings of the solar disk can be found at
http://www.petermeadows.com. Clearly, care should be taken while 
observing the Sun.

Guy M Hurst