Hughsie

Broken cloud, a strong breeze and only one active region on the Sun today. Here is AR13040 (S13W130).Classified CSO and comprised of nine sunspots. This area is presented at 3x and 4x magnification both ‘natural’ and inverted. Chucked in the disc for free 😁

I am assuming you are looking at imaging in white light with the Red Cat. Not certain this would work but maybe worth a call to Altair Astro https://www.altairastro.com/baader-50-od-astrosolar-binocular-filter-50mm-7585-p.asp or if you are feeling creative you may want to make one;

This image was captured in Hydrogen alpha on the 16th June 2022 and shows a large prominence on the eastern limb. A 1,000 frame video was stacked in AS3! using 11% of the best frames. It was then taken into ImPPG and an initial sharpening was applied and the tone curve adjusted to invert the image. Finally it was brought into Affinity Photo where further sharpening was applied using ‘Clarity’ and ‘Unsharp Mask’ and a slight adjustment was made using curves. Equipment Lunt 60mm Double Stacked THa B1200/CPT ZWO ASI174mm with tilt adapter SkyWatcher EQ6R-Pro mount. TeleVue 4x Powermate. Second image (below) captured 28th June 2022. Same equipment used as above, however this time I captured an overexposed solar disc to reveal the prominences then set the gain to 230 and exposure to 9.8 ms to capture the Chromosphere. These two images were processed individually in PixInsight then the two were taken into Affinity Photo where I copied the surface on to the prom layer, adjusted to match the limbs and applied the ‘difference’ layer. Final image. Captured 28th June 2022 quite early in the morning at 06:10:48 UTC as the forecast was for clouds to roll in (which they did). Using the Lunt described above and ZWO ASI174mm, I captured 2,000 frames and then stacked 10% in AS3!. I took the resulting image into ImPPG and sharpened this a tad before manipulating the tone curve tool to invert the image and lighten the background. Then into PixInsight. A DynamicBackgroundExtraction was undertaken to the sky area. I then created a range mask to encompass the solar disc. The mask was applied and Unsharp mask applied at 10 pixel scale to pop out the filaments. The mask was inverted so exposing the prominences and I used the RestorationFilter tool to apply a bit of sharpening to the proms. After temporarily removing the mask, I converted the image to RGB, re-applied the mask to expose the disc then applied colour using the curves tool. A final tweak of curves to lighten the limb and darken the centre was added before I Resampled the image reducing its size to 1024 pixels across its width whilst maintaining the same aspect, then created the border and annotated the image with its details.

Image 1 – Solar Disc Image acquired at 09:51:07 UTC. Bo +1.26˚, Lo 95.34˚, P -8.84˚. There are nine active regions visible on the solar disc this morning, including a number of filaments. There is an especially long ‘reverse-s’ shaped filament positioned through active regions 13030 and 13032. Some nice prominences appear on the limbs particularly the eastern side which has several small breakaway areas. Image 2 – AR13031 & AR13037 AR13031 (S25W44) Currently comprised of 15 sunspots and classified ESI, this region occupies 420 million square kilometres of the chromosphere. It has diminished in size in the last 24 hours and the sunspot count has also reduced by 5. AR13031 has been producing flares, its largest eruption so far being an M1.6 class flare the previous day. AR13037 (S21W55) Now approaching the western limb, AR13037 continues to increase its sunspot count from 8 to 13 in the last 24 hours. Whilst smaller in the amount of real estate it occupies on the solar disc compared to its neighbour, it has grown in size and now covers c180 million square kilometres. Designated CSI, this region today produced a short burst C3.3 flare between 18:18 and 18:32 UTC. Image 3 & 4 – AR13033, 13034 & 13038 AR13033 (N18E01) A relatively small region compared to the other active regions in this image, AR13033 is classified CRO. Overnight it has diminished in size and sunspots, with now only 6 spots visible. It has only produced two C class flares worthy of note the last being on 14 June 2022. AR13034 (N01E12) Located bottom centre of this image, you can clearly see that this is comprised of a single sunspot classified CSO. Whilst it has diminished in size since it first appeared on the solar disc, its sunspot count as remained stable at this level over the past two days. It has yet to produce any flares worthy of note. AR13038 (N12E40) Now rotated off the eastern limb, this region has grown in size from 30 to 180 million square kilometres and more than doubled its sunspot count from 3 to 7. Classified DRO this region has yet to produce any flares worthy of note. Prominences Inverting this image reveals an interesting formation where separation has occurred from the main prominence on the eastern limb. Image 5 – AR13033, AR13032 & AR13030 AR13030 (N19W31) Classified DAI since 15th June, this region has increased its sunspot count from 13 to 17 in the last 24 hours but diminished in size by 120 million square kilometres to 240 million square kilometres. It is actively producing flares with a C4.3 eruption taking place today between 14:55 and 18:18 UTC. AR13032 (N21W21) Finally, we have AR13032. This region has remained consistent in size over the last 24 hours at 210 million square kilometres but has lost a single sunspot taking todays count to two. AR13032 classification has changed from HSX to CSO and it has produced four flares worthy of note, three have been C class and one, an M3.4 class flare, erupted on 13 June 2022.

Thank you Rob.

Details are set out in the border of each image.

Image 1 - AR13030, 13032, 13033 & 13034 AR13030 (N20W05) Classified DAI, this region of activity is now made up of 13 sunspots increasing by 6 over the last 24 hours. It has also increased in size to approximately 180 million square kilometres. AR 13030 has been producing flare activity including a short burst C3.2 flare between 07:21 and 07:29 UTC this morning. AR13032 (N21E05) This region has reduced in size and the number of sunspots in the last 24 hours. Now some 300 million square kilometres in size, it lost 3 sunspots and now has a total of 4. Classified CSO, this region generated at M3.4 class flare 48 hours earlier. AR13033 (N17E25) This region has been relatively quiet only producing 2 notable flares the largest being C.39 on 14 June. It has continued to increase in size and sunspots with 13 sunspots on view today. Overall it covers some 360 million square kilometres. AR13034 (N01E40) Now just a single sunspot classified HSX its size has be relatively consistent at 300 million square kilometres. It has yet to produce any notable flare activity. Image 2 & 3 - AR13031 AR13031 (S27W18) Shown in its ‘natural’ H⍺ form, this region has consistently expanded in size and now stands approximately 720 million square kilometres in size and the number of sunspots has increased from 15 to 26 in the last 24 hours. Classified EAI, this region has been actively producing flares. When inverted, this image also reveals a nice ‘pyramid’ prominence on the south west limb. Image 4 - AR13031, AR13034 & AR13035 AR13035 (S18E40) This is a small active region designated CSO and comprise of 5 sunspots. It has yet to produce any notable flares. Image 5 - Prominences on the west and south west limb

Solar Disc Only active regions were visible on the solar disc this morning, AR13030, AR13031, AR13032 and AR13033. Most of the prominences were on the western limb along with a long filament in the south western hemisphere of the disc. AR13030 (N20E21) Having lost four sunspots over the last 24 hours AR13030 was now down to a total of five. Its total size remained unchanged on the previous day as was its classification DAO. This region was also quiet on the flare front, the last meaningful flare taking place two days earlier. AR13031 (S27E09) Although it reduced in size overnight, this region acquired a further five sunspots taking its total today to ten. It remained classified CRO and produced a short burst C8.5 class flare between 21:19 and 21:28 UTC. FFilament on the south west hemisphere Prominence into space

Solar Disc 24 hours later we can still see a scattering of filaments on the northern hemisphere but the filaprom visible yesterday on the south east limb has dissipated. On the western limb there are more prominences evident and a new filaprom close to the southern pole. AR13030 continues its journey with new areas of activity visible on the north east limb. AR13030 This sunspot grouping has downsized considerably in the last 24 hours. A day earlier it was approximately 540 million square kilometres in size but today this has reduced to 120 million square kilometres. Now classified DAO, AR13031 developed two new sunspots over the last 24 hours taking its total this day to nine. No significant flare activity was observed today. AR13031 No major change to this region over the last 24 hours. It remains classified CRO and its size has not changed materially. Flare activity is nominal.

To invert or not invert an image when processing? Some like the dramatic effect that the inverted images produces, others like the more natural look of dark sunspots rather than bright sunspots. As for me, I do enjoy the inverted look more and would encourage it especially if only to bring out detail that otherwise would not be seen e.g. the proms around the solar disc or the filaprom in the image below. In the end produce what gives you more pleasure, that’s what I say. Solar Disc Our Sun continues to be quiet in comparison to recent weeks with only 3 active regions. AR13030 looks to be promising, having produced a size prominence a few days earlier as it rotated on to the visible side of the Sun. Small filaments pepper the northern hemisphere and, when inverted, we can see a filaprom on the south east limb. AR13029 Located S17W39 on the solar disc, this region of activity has gradually diminished since peaking in size on 9thJune 2022. Now designated BXO, it is comprised of two sunspots. On the flare front, this region has been quiet over the last 24 hours, the last been a C1.7 class flare on 9th June. AR13030 This new active region is 180 millionths of the hemisphere, some 540 million square kilometres and is comprised of 7 sunspots. Classified EAO, this region is currently located N20E52. It is actively producing flares producing an M1.2 class emission 24 hours earlier. AR13031 Much smaller in comparison to AR13030, these 2 sunspots are located S27E36 on the solar disc and is classified CRO. It has been quiet on the flare front only producing one worthy of note, a B8.8 class flare on 10th June 2022.

Confirmed I captured the flare in my animation but experiencing technical issues uploading!

You would have been forgiven if you decided not to set up and observe the Sun this day. Activity has been low for the last 24 hours and only one region of activity was visible, initially not numbered but later in the day it was designated AR13029. There were also some small filaments on view, mainly in the north and the prominences did not promise much. Still, I set up as the sky was completely clear so it promised to be a more relaxing observing session compared to the recent cloud interrupted events. First up is the full disc. This is a nine-pane mosaic captured with a 2.5x TeleVue Powermate. AR13029 can be seen centred in the south (S18W08) with some interesting detail on the Chromosphere below this. There are two prominences, the smallest is on the north west limb but there was an interesting set of prominences opposite in the east. Here we can see the prominences on the north east limb. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much I could do to reduce the bright banding around the larger feature on the upper part of the limb but it was nice to capture the separation of the smaller prominence below. Setting the 3x Altair Astro Barlow in the image train and observing south we can start to see AR13029, a nice filament leading up to it from the south east, small plage areas and the activity in the Chromosphere below AR13029. This active region was later classified DAO and is comprised of 7 sunspots. The image was captured at 07:32 UTC, 61 minutes away from the start of a B6.3 flare erupting from AR13029. Still observing the same region of the Sun this time with a 4x TeleVue Powermate. Lots more detail on show on the Chromosphere. Now we are 39 minutes away from the flare! Closer still with the 5x TeleVue Powermate. Captured at 08:12 UTC with 21 minutes left until the B6.3 flare and guess what? I missed it…sorry! After finishing capturing this last image I then started on acquiring data on AR13029 for an animation so maybe, just maybe the flare is in there somewhere but the clouds did start to move in. Best I get around to processing this data then. All the best, John

These images were captured using a double stacked 60mm Lunt and the ZWO ASI174mm camera. Other than the full solar disc, the rest used either a 3x Altair Astro Barlow or a 4x TeleVue Powermate. Hope that helps.

Below is a collection of images I captured on Friday morning (27th May). It was a challenging session with strong gusts of wind blowing off the sheet covering my head and laptop (making it difficult to observe the laptop screen) and passing clouds adding to the interruptions. The first image is of the solar disc. Captured with the Lunt 60mm DS THa/B1200CPT and ZWO ASI174MM camera. There were not many sizeable proms other than on the south west limb, however, there was a long s-shaped filament passing between AR13023 and 13024. The next images were captured with the same scope and camera, however, I also introduced a 4x TeleVue Powermate into the image train. Active Regions 13023 and 13024. AR13023 is classified HAX and composed of two sunspots which are clearly visible. Later on during the day it produced a C1.3 class flare. AR13024 is halve the size of AR13023 and has only a single spot. Classified HSX it produced two flares on this day; Class C1.0 and C1.4. Moving north and slightly west, we have the small active region AR13021. This region is composed of three sunspots and is classified BXO. It too produced flares later on in the morning; class C1.6 and C2.3. Then we have AR13019 heading towards the north west limb. Made up on a single sunspot, this region is classified AXX. Finally heading south west we come to the series of prominences visible on the limb today. All the best, John

Wednesday offered difficult conditions for viewing our Sun. I started early with the Sun low down and a light haze as the forecast was for clouds to appear later in the morning which they did. On the previous day the forecast was the same but the clouds cleared in the afternoon so I left the gear out in case the weather cleared. Wednesday’s weather followed the same pattern as Tuesday and the clouds broke but the haze was a lot thicker and seeing was awful. The limb looked the surface of a swimming pool after the someone had dove in. With all that, I did manage to tweak out one chromosphere image, the rest were too poor to process, and a few proms. All the action was on the eastern side of the disc and here we have ARss 13017, 13014, 13015 and 13011 at the top (L-R). below we have ARs 13016, 13018 and 13010. A splash of colour is also been thrown in. Some nice prominences on the south east limb and estimation of their height. Moving to the north east we have another prom and height estimation. Finally, over to the north east and a larger prom.

Clear skies now, though any observation would involve demolishing the neighbours house. Something tells me their not going to play ball.

Thanks Freddie. Next clear session I have I will give 100 a go. All the best, John

Haze and clouds here Steve, not worth breaking the gear out so thank you letting me have a look from your side.

You are correct, I could go higher but above unity gain read noise does reduce but not at the same rate. But you have to start somewhere so unity gain seems like a good place to and so far I am happy with it, though always open to suggestions.

In my case I get much lower exposure times, higher fps, I can collect more frames over a short time frame with not much noise.

Hi Gav. Correct. I put the Powermate in the diagonal and the camera in the powermate. Btw, I never have the diagonal fully inside the focus tube. The tube from the B1200 diagonal is quite long so I can introduce some back focus without extension tubes. For my set up and 2.5x powermate, the diagonal is about 15-20mm pulled out. When I swap out to a 3x Barlow I pull the diagonal out more and further still with the 4x powermate. If I don’t do this then I will never achieve focus. I use SharpCap Pro for image acquisition. The Pro version allows you to stretch the image live on screen by selecting the ‘lightening bolt’ button on the histogram. I then move the mid tone line to introduce greater contrast making the image on the screen easier to see (at this point I also have a black sheet over my head to assist viewing). With the image on the screen clearer and pointing at a feature on the Sun I then use the fine control on the focuser to dial in focus. Hope this helps. John

Hi Gav. Other than the solar disc image which did not have any Barlow/powermate attached, I use a double stacked 60mm Lunt with stock Lunt B1200 diagonal. On this occasion I added a 4x TeleVue Powermate then a ZWO ASI174mm with tilt adapter. I apply unity gain for this camera of 189 and today I binned the camera 2x2. This enables me to work at low exposure settings and achieve high fps. 2,000 frames are captured and 10% stacked. I also posted earlier this week images captured with the same equipment, swapping out the 4x powermate for a 5x powermate, again with the camera binned 2x2 to reduce over-sampling and achieve low exposure/high fps. Flats are also acquired at the same gain using a crumpled old sandwich bag and lacky band!

A short observing session today which was interrupted by haze and the clouds coming in. Full solar disc as at 08:24:51 UT. There are four active regions on the disc today. Starting in the northern hemisphere we have AR13008 and AR13009. The latter is classified CAO, comprised of 6 sun spots and located at N16W27. In the southern hemisphere we have two much larger regions of activity, AR13007 and AR13006. Some prominences are also visible mainly on the western limb. AR13006 is now approaching the western limb and is pictured here close to a filament and the largest prominence on the limb today. This area of activity is comprised of 27 sun spots and is classified EAO. So far today it has been producing C class flares but it has produced an X1.5 class flare on 10th May 2022, peaking at 13.55 UT. AR13007. Now off the eastern limb this area contains 34 sun spots having increased by 14 in the last 24 hours. Classified EKC it has produced a single C class flare so far today and managed an M2.2 class flare yesterday peaking at 19:31 UT. AR13008 is smaller in comparison having only 5 sun spots at this time, however, it is growing in size having added a further two sun spots in the last 24 hours. Classified CRO it has yet to produce any flares. All the best, John