Old Sol was practicing his quickdraw:
http://spaceweather.com/submissions/pics/a/Alexandra-Hart-2011-12-03-11-22-20–
Alexandra Hart
Image taken: Dec. 3, 2011
Location: Cheshire, UK
Details: This prominence lifted off within 10 minutes, very spectacular! Taken with a Coronado PST and DMK41
ERUPTING FILAMENT: Today, with little warning, a magnetic filament rapidly erupted on the sun. Between 10:30 and 11:30 UT, observers in Europe watched tendrils of hot plasma rocket away from the sun’s NW limb. Debris from the explosion is not expected to hit Earth. Images: #1, #2, #3.
Astrophysicists aren’t certain what he was shooting at, but several noted deer season recently opened. Others speculate Alpha Centauri was throwing bottles or tin-cans in the air for him.
With no flares of significance in days, the sun is strangely quiet. Nevertheless, the view remains dynamic. Rogerio Marcon of Campinas, Brasil, took this picture of the local starscape on Dec. 2nd. Using a telescope tuned to the red glow of solar hydrogen, Marco captured 20 billion sq. km of seething plasma and magnetic filaments; also included in the field is the dark core of sunspot 1364 (lower right). It doesn’t look very quiet. NOAA forecasters estimate a 30% chance of M-class solar flares in the next 24 hours. http://spaceweather.com/
Some astrophysicists noted 20 billion sq. km of seething plasma and magnetic filaments could be considered a middling lot, everything else being equal.
PHD candidates from UC Berkeley and MIT have gone on record with a theory there’s some kind of celebration going on up there. NASA space cadets believe otherwise, but refuse to elaborate except to darkly hint Old Sol’s expressing his displeasure about agency budget cuts.
Israel and the CIA aren’t saying what’s causing it, but are planning airstrikes on unnamed Central Asian targets in retaliation.
Old Jules
So Far From Heaven 
Enjoyed the entry my friend. Take care.
Anonymous: Thanks. Jules
Happy Monday Jules, is it me or are the sunspots trying to form a “Y” across the surface? and that coronal hole is starting to look like a canyon, getting bigger………if that is a “Y” that divides the sun into 3 sections…..interesting, I wonder if i should invest in Nomex suits (and their stocks) in the near future? A year ago today I was at a BBQ at the Lawrenceburg, Tennessee Christmas parade, time flies when you’re having fun. You and the critters keep on keeping the world safe from democracy, I hope your day goes well.
Morning Rich: Looking at the one today I’m inclined to think it isn’t a ‘Y’. I don’t know what Nomex is, but the name’s intriguing. Yeah, Lawrenceburg seems a long time ago this morning. Hope your day’s a good one also. J
That lucky old sun’s got nothing to do ‘cept roll around heaven all day…
Morning Lindy Lee: Yeah, but he has hobbies. Thanks for the visit. Jules
Hey bro, Nomex is the Fireproof suits the drag racers, and all the other speedy folks wear when they race. It’s the fireproofing material. You see the walking billboard NASCAR folks all dressed up in them at their appearances. I think Congress is going to start wearing them too so everyone can tell who their sponsors are.
Hi Rich. Good of you to explain. Gracias, Jules