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BIG SUNSPOT FACES EARTH: Today, and for the next few days, the largest sunspot of the new solar cycle (AR2781) will be facing Earth. This means any eruptions will be geoeffective, directly targeting our planet. So far, the sunspot has produced only C-class solar flares , but stronger eruptions are possible. SOLAR FLARE ACTIVITY: Today began with a bang. On Sunday, Nov. 8th (0518 UT), giant sunspots AR2781 produced a C5-class solar flare. A pulse of X-rays and UV radiation ionized the top of Earth’s atmosp