Today’s Astronomy Picture of the Day features this remarkable image of a sunspot on the limb of the Sun as seen from the Japanese solar-observing spacecraft, Hinode. Like a fountain of fire, solar plasma is ejected from the sunspot, most of which cascades back onto the surface. Some of the ejecta particles will continue speeding off into space, ultimately falling onto whatever is in the path. Better understanding of how the Sun ejects particles into space may result in more accurate predictions of solar storms that affect satellites, astronauts, and even power grids on Earth.
Image Credit & Copyright: Hinode, JAXA, NASA
Between the venerable SOHO spacecraft and the newly-launched Hinode and STEREO probes, scientists are sure to discover much more about our stellar companion. We are entering into an age of enlightenment (so to speak) about the nature of the Sun’s influence on the environment and climate on planet Earth. This is unfortunate for those who would like to divert attention from science in favor of over-representing anthropogenic (man-made) effects and predictions of imminent global disaster.
“The Sun is anything but a stable yellow ball in the sky” — That’s how the narration begins in the 
This may be a once in a lifetime celestial event for Earthlings to witness. A sun-grazing comet, McNaught, is visible to the naked eye in broad daylight! If you have clear skies, you should step outside today and try to observe the comet.
NASA Scientists studying the relationship between the Sun’s magnetic activity and the peak number of sunspots, have discovered a six-year relationship between the two phenomena. If the trend continues as it has since 1868, we should experience a count of about 160 sunspots during the next solar cycle peak, due in 2011.