Sunspots AR 2785 and AR 2786

The sun is active again! We were in a solar minimum for a few years, but finally the solar activity is ramping up.  The solar cycle takes approximately 11 year from maximum to maximum.  I took the opportunity to use my 80mm telescope to project the sun on a piece of paper.  The larger sunspot (AR 2786) was also visible with the naked eye using solar eclipse glasses.

WARNING: NEVER look directly at the sun!  It is only safe to watch the sun using dedicated filters!

I took some pictures.  You can see AR 2785 (the smaller sunspot) and AR 2786 easily. 

More information on the current status of the sunspots can be found at the spaceweatherlive website.

Sunspots AR 2785 and AR 2786. Canon 80D, 300mm, f/22, 1/500s, ISO 100.

In the evening, it was still clear.  Jupiter and Saturn are moving closer and closer to each other.  On the night of December 21, they will be less than 1 degree from each other.  The view through a telescope (or binoculars) will be really spectacular then.  Let's hope the weather is nice.

Jupiter and Saturn.  Canon EOS R, 70mm, f/2, 2.5s, ISO 100.