As if to commemorate the start of the 1998 Riverside Telescope Makers Conference, a large sunspot group had rotated onto the Sun's disk. I wondered if it might be large enough to be seen without optical aid. After a few minutes of searching with a solar filter, I had my answer. This spectacular group was among the first naked-eye spots of the current cycle of increasing solar activity!

Viewing the Sun provides an enjoyable way to supplement the usual nighttime observing activities, but you should be aware of the potential for serious injury and take precautions to ensure your safety and the safety of others. (See "Solar Filter Safety.") Viewing the Sun also demands extra vigilance when it comes to equipment. Never leave a telescope or binoculars unattended, especially when children are about. It takes only a moment of inattentiveness to create a dangerous situation.