Yesterday I saw what I believe is 486 (the last periods designation) just making its appearance around the limb. Today more of the group is visible and it does not appear overly large to me. I did not observe it when it first appeared and so I have no idea if it has reduced in size. I also see a lot of faculae around it that I do not recall seeing around 488 when I observed 488 yesterday. Yesterday 488 was at about the same location relative to the limb of the sun that 486 is today. On a related issue, during the last partial solar eclipse we had in Arizona I was observing it through my telescope to see the silhouette of the lunar mountains against the sun. I am using a Thousand Oaks filter in their aluminum ring. I have a full aperture filter rather than one that is off to one side. One thing that I noticed was that I started getting thermals from, I think, the aluminum ring that was affecting the image the longer I observed the sun. Has anyone experienced this? If so, what do you use to prevent it, white titanium dioxide paint over the aluminum ring? Stan -- See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please send personal replies to the author, not the list.