Sunspots Return

Lots of Filaments

Sunspot numbers and solar features had decreased significantly during October. Many nice clear mornings were available for imaging, but I let them pass without hauling out my equipment. Finally, on November 3rd, enough interesting features appeared to make observing worthwhile. It was 50 degrees under a cloudless autumn sky. Although there was no wind, seeing was mediocre. Two major sunspots were visible along with a good variety of filaments as you can see in the following 22-panel mosaic made with a 3X Barlow lens. (Click on images to enlarge.)

Sunspot 3477 has the darkest umbra on the lower left. Small, newly emerging sunspot 3480 is to the left of 3477 near the limb. Double umbra sunspot 3474 is near the right limb. A dramatic sinuous filament stretches out from the left edge.

The previous image was processed to show disc details. The next image, processed differently, shows prominences around the limb.

Three examples of "filaproms" are visible above. These reveal gradual transition from prominence to filament when a prominence extends from the limb onto the disc. The "filaproms" show up even better in the next 14-panel mosaic made from images obtained with camera settings specifically chosen to brighten prominences. Unfortunately, disc features are overexposed as a consequence.

There's one "filaprom" at the top, one at the bottom, and one on the left edge of the sinuous filament. I don't think I've ever captured so many "filaproms" at once!

Next are closer views of the eastern hemisphere showing both sunspot 3477 and the sinuous filament.

Finally, a close detailed view of filaments in the northern solar hemisphere shows them well when the image is viewed at full size.

Sunspot numbers are predicted to increase in coming months as the solar activity cycle gradually approaches maximum.