Interesting info from spaceweather.com

[LaurenG]

Space Weather News for Nov. 28, 2006
http://spaceweather.com

STRANGE SUNSPOT: A strange-looking sunspot is emerging on the sun.
It's shaped like a ring almost three times wider than Earth. Amateur
astronomers with solar telescopes are encouraged to monitor this
curious apparition. It may be little more than a novelty--but its
definitely worth watching.

ALIGNMENT OF PLANETS: Mark your calendar. On Dec. 8th through 11th,
Jupiter, Mercury and Mars will form a tight triangle in the eastern
sky at dawn. All three will fit together in the field of view of
ordinary binoculars. (Mars is dim enough that binoculars may be
required to see it.) Of special note is the morning of Dec. 10th when
Jupiter and Mercury converge within 0.25 degrees of one another. The
close, bright pair will be visible to the unaided eye--a fabulous
sight in the rosy glow of sunrise.