Modest Sunspot

Erupting Prominence

I recently enjoyed my first solar imaging session since July, 2016. Hardly any major sunspots or filaments had appeared for 7 months. When a modest sunspot group rotated into view near the eastern limb on February 20th, it was time to return to the activity I love. Conditions were comfortable with nearly cloudless skies, temperature in the low 60's, and a slight breeze. I worried about forgetting steps in the imaging routine, but, even after 7 months away, I had no trouble setting up equipment and capturing video clips.

The first image below is a 3-panel mosaic showing modest sunspot group 2638 left of center and a large prominence which happened to be in the midst of a dramatic eruption. Not long after this image was made the prominence had lifted off into space leaving no trace behind.

Seeing was not particularly good this day. Aside from the one modest sunspot, there were hardly any remarkable features present on the solar disc. One active area, 2636, near disc center looked like this.

I captured 21 video clips from locations around the solar rim. Below is an imperfect 21-panel mosaic showing a number of prominences scattered around the limb. (Click on the images for larger views.)

It was good to use the solar telescope again after so many idle months.