Astronomy, Photography and Weather

General Category => Astronomy & Space => Topic started by: brianb on January 29, 2010, 06:39:40 pm



Title: Solar Activity 29 Jan
Post by: brianb on January 29, 2010, 06:39:40 pm
Not a good day - strong northerly wind bringing lots of cloud & occasional wintry showers. However I did get a couple of short "windows" in which I was able to observe the Sun.

The CaK full disk shot shows that AR1042 has rotated out of sight and AR1041 has an appearance characteristic of dying activity. There is no other significant activity on the disc.

(http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac55/bjb11213/20100129/Sun-100129-1225-CaK.jpg)
2010 Jan 29, 1225 UT. PST CaK prime focus (f/10), DMK41.

In white light, just one small spot was visible in by 80mm refractor (using Baader solar film & solar continuum filter). I didn't bother attempting to image it.

AR1041 was imaged in close up in hydrogen alpha:

(http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac55/bjb11213/20100129/Sun-100129-1235-Ha-AR1041-X2.jpg)
2010 Jan 29, 1235 UT. Solarscope 60 @ f/16, DMK21.

and in calcium K:

(http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac55/bjb11213/20100129/Sun-100129-1334-CaK-AR1041-X2.jpg)
2010 Jan 29, 1334 UT. Lunt CaK B1200, 60mm @ f/16.7, DMK21.

There were lots of prominences but none were particularly notable. I did manage to capture this group on the south west limb ...

(http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac55/bjb11213/20100129/Sun-100129-1238-Ha-promSW-X2.jpg)
2010 Jan 29, 1238 UT. Solarscope 60 @ f/16, DMK21.

... but the cloud moved in & prevented me from imaging the other groups of prominences, some of which were more notable than this one.

Transparency good (between showers) but with occasional drifting cloud. Seeing moderate, poor near clouds. Temperature +4C, wind N, force 5-6, gusting 7-8 near showers.


Title: Re: Solar Activity 29 Jan
Post by: martinastro on January 29, 2010, 06:57:55 pm
Very nice images despite the decaying solar activity and the peek-a-bo battle with the clouds and showers. Love the disk shot and the detailed faculae. I'm sure the wait won't be a long one for the next good sunspot group.