Sunspot 978 popped over the sun's eastern limb on Dec. 6th and it has quickly become one of the largest sunspots of the year. Pete Lawrence of Selsey UK photographed the active region yesterday:

©Pete Lawrence


"The image was taken through a Coronado Calcium-K PST," says Lawrence. "Its nice to see something tangible crossing the solar disk again." Sunspot 978 poses no threat for strong solar flares but this could change if its rapid growth continues. Stay tuned!

more images: from John Nassr of Baguio, Philippines; from Paul Haese of Blackwood, South Australia; from Peter Paice of Belfast, Northern Ireland; from Alcaria Rego of Almada - Portugal.