Observe The Sun Safely – Never look at the Sun without a proper filter!
Solar Programs are held 1st Sunday of every Month 2:00-4:00 PM at Houge Park weather permitting.
I expected a less than average turnout this Labor Day weekend. Yet we had 4 Solar Scope Setups and a nice crowd of folks (thanks to all for coming out) that kept the event going past 4:00 o’clock.
Click Image to Enlarge
- Four Scope Setups were rewarded with a very active view of the Sun. Thanks to Gary Chock for photo.
Jenny at 100mm H-Alpha scope checking out the “Bic lighter” prominence.
And speaking of that O’clock we noted superb H-Alpha flares (quiescent prominences) at 7, 9 and 12, refactor view, and one “Bic lighter” H-Alpha active flare (surge prominence) at 8 o’clock on the solar dial. The quiescent flares extended some 40,000 miles from the Sun and extended along the Sun 70-80 thousand miles. The narrow surge prominence extended some 80,0000 miles form the surface before we saw it’s upper region dissipate.
Prominence classes – the word flare is a nebulous term. Some prominences are flares in heliophysics sense and generally they all are. Educating kids, I use the word H-Alpha flare instead of the abstract term prominence. This helps young viewers understand what they are looking for while identifying it in the H-Alpha or Chromosphere layer of Sun.
At it’s peak the solar dynamo is sizzling and dazzling. In Keven Lahey’s 10 inch scope we counted 28 sunspots in 4 groups giving a sunspot count of 68. Actually I incorrectly counted four groups instead of three. Had I not done that my estimate would have agreed with the ISN, International Sunpot Number of 58. Below is an image of the Sun for September 1st.
Three Sunspot Groups and a total Number of 28 sunspots gives Sunspot Number (SN = G+N) of 58.
Look forward to seeing everyone next Solar Meetup at Houge October 6th!
Astronomical observer for 20 years and optical engineer. I design non-imaging prism and reflector optics for commercial, medical and high-end retail lighting.
These are great photos and a nice writeup Mike. I really got to join you folks sometime soon to see the sun up close for myself.
Gary, Thx and you should! Sun is putting on a stellar performance = Michael