Lazing on a Tuesday afternoon...

[employee2-4601]

Taking advantage of the summer weather (yes, folks, it's finally here!) I set up the scope and had a little look at the sun to see what I could see. Very excited to see three sunspots in close proximity, and quite large, too. However, two turned out to be clusters of smaller spots and even through a 25mm EP without any filters (other than the faithful Astrozap over the aperture), the umbrae were incredibly distinct. Even in simple white light, the sun is a beautiful and rewarding target for observation. I've left the scope set up and I'll be visiting it again later this afternoon. The only downside is that there are a few clouds and I even caught one on camera as it drifted between me and the sun.

 

I've not played with the photos at all. I used a W58 filter to highlight a little extra detail, although I'm looking at purchasing a Skywatcher H-Alpha filter (it's described as for CCD only, but I can't see why I couldn't use it for straight visual work instead...)

[laudropb]

The sun is certainly looking very interesting today. You have actually captured a third smaller spot AR 12569 closer to the Eastern limb.

[LukeSkywatcher]

The spots are looking great. I had a look on Sunday and again today, but its too hot today to sit in the same position observing the sun. I'd get heat stroke.

[jkwhinfrey]

Lots going on all around the disc and limbs. A big prom on the eastern limb might suggest more to come? Some relatively low intensity, slow/long duration flaring earlier (about a C class I think) too. Only caught that on GOES.

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/goes-x-ray-flux

I agree with Paul, it is really warm: a consistent 37C in my garden this afternoon. Much to hot to sketch anything now, but nice for about 2-3 minutes at a time. Got a longer session in this morning.

James

[LukeSkywatcher]

3 minutes ago, jkwhinfrey said:

Lots going on all around the disc and limbs. A big prom on the eastern limb might suggest more to come? Some relatively low intensity, slow/long duration flaring earlier (about a C class I think) too. Only caught that on GOES.

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/goes-x-ray-flux

I agree with Paul, it is really warm: a consistent 37C in my garden this afternoon. Much to hot to sketch anything now, but nice for about 2-3 minutes at a time. Got a longer session in this morning.

James

37C?. OK thats HOT. Its only 27C here.

[jkwhinfrey]

To be fair Paul it's only 28C in the house which is always cooler than outdoors, but I can't see the Sun from here   Where the garden's had the Sun on it, even if it isn't now, there's a BIG difference.

James

It's times like this I'm glad I don't drive to work any more. My sympathy to those that do