The time to observe the sun is now. The sun increases and decreases in activity over an 11-year cycle, and solar physicists expect maximum sunspot activity in 2000. The last such maximum occurred in 1989. So ready your equipment and your knowledge. As the only celestial object capable of causing physical harm to unprotected eyes, all sungazers must proceed with caution.
Sunspots are relatively cool magnetic storms that almost constantly tranverse the sun's face.
Just use your telescope as a solar projector. Sunlight passing through a lens projects an image into the eyepiece and onto a screen, just like a slide or movie. Change the size of the sun's image by moving the screen closer or farther from the eyepiece, then use the focusing knob to clarify the image. A smooth, white surface works best for the projection screen. Any irregularities degrade image quality.