Sunspots and Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Paris

In the foreground of this stunning image, is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, built in the late 1800s and located on the highest hill in Paris, France. Next, are thin clouds forward scattering sunlight. Finally, far in the distance and slightly buried into the Sun’s surface, are sunspots, the most prominent of which is sunspot region AR 1512 visible near the disk center.  Image credit: VegaStar Carpentier

Since the time that this sunset image was taken, the sunspot region on the far left, AR 1515, has unleashed a powerful solar flare. Although that flare is expected to miss the Earth, sky enthusiasts are on watch for Sun events that might cause bright auroras.

via apod