1st April H-Alpha Sketch & Notes

[Qualia]

I've been a little busy today and the evening was clear to enjoy the Moon and Jupiter, so I've only just had time to scan the sketch and post it up.

Similar to the last day of March, the active regions exploded with prominences, most notably on the western limb at about 280º to 310º (10 o'clock on the sketch). At such enormous distances it is understandably difficult to imagine some of these torrents of plasma reaching speeds of over 1,000km/s. But sitting at the eyepiece over time you could see some of the spray material significantly thinning only to thicken again a number of minutes later.

No less impressive was an enormous spike or surge erupting at about 240º (9 o'clock on sketch). At one point I took a basic measurement and found it to be around 120,000km in height. A blazing jet coiling into the corona which would engulf the Earth at ten times over.

I've included two sketches. The first was made at the eyepiece with chalks on black paper. The second is an exact copy but labelled with a number of solar features. I'm trying to identify what I am seeing and I was wondering if anyone could correct me if I have made any mistakes and whether there are any features I haven't labelled but ought to know. 

It's late and I'm quite tired so I haven't included seeing conditions or telescope used etc on the sketch. Needless to say, it was pretty much the same as always. Lunt 60mm, B1200, 12.5mm B.G.Ortho. Seeing was a good 3 of 5, weather was a mild 25ºC and skies were a deep Mediterranean blue (Think by the weekend all that will be a thing of the past when the storms come in again ).

[Solar_observer]

Your explanations and detailed drawings, are exceptional

[avtaram]

Beautiful sketch Rob, this inspires me to to take up Solar observing.

Avtar

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Great sketch and report. Yesterday's proms were absolutely stunning

[Qualia]

Thank you for the kind words I think the sketches are progressively getting better as I play around more with the chalks and of course, the Sun.

Avtar, I reckon it's well worth it. With the gear you already own you can set up in white light at a very reasonable price and if after a while you find the solar bug biting, then you could begin saving up for something like the Quark or a dedicated H-alpha scope. 

The other thing I'd like to add is that I do not think white light is a lesser substitute for H-alpha, they both make for interesting observations and on completely different solar atmoshpheres. Moreover, as a sketcher you'll also find there is something really pleasurable about viewing in day light. You don't have to worry about protecting night vision, mislaying a pencil, juggling between red torch, pad, pencil and eyepiece etc. It's just a lot easier and relaxed   

[spaceboy]

A true master of Ha sketching Rob 

[Hyperion76]

Great details- makes me feel lazy as I just copy an image off gong for my records!

[Davey-T]

Excellent stuff Rob, as someone who couldn't draw water from a well I really admire your talent.

Dave