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The Sun, 25 January 1984 -
31 December 2020


ImageDetails
Sun/20201231_1312_Sun_MPC.jpg

Martin Cook, 31 December 2020.

An image in Hα light at 13:12 UT shows considerable disturbance of the solar surface associated with active regions AR2794 and AR2795. Image captured two minutes after previous image (below), with same equipment.

Sun/20201231_1310_Sun_MPC.jpg

Martin Cook, 31 December 2020.

An image in Hα light at 13:10 UT shows a large prominence. The solar disk is over-exposed to bring out detail in the latter. Lunt LS60THa/B1200 telescope, x2 Barlow lens, ZWO ASI178mm camera.

Sun/20201107_1323_AR2781_MPC.jpg

Martin Cook, 07 November 2020.

An image in Hα light at 13:23 UT shows active region AR2781 on the solar surface. Lunt LS60THa/B1200 telescope, x2 Barlow lens, ZWO ASI178mm camera.

Sun/20200622_163414_Sun_Ha_JWH.png

John Hughes, 22 June 2020.

A close up of the below image showing the prominence on the north-eastern limb. Taken at 16:34 UT. Equipment and processing details as below, apart from: 2.5x Powermate Barlow lens used, exposure time 10.185 ms and image formed from best 25% of 200 frames.

Sun/20200622_161705_Sun_Ha_JWH.png

John Hughes, 22 June 2020.

The Sun in Hα light (of 656.28 nm wavelength) at 16:17 UT. Lunt LS60THa/B1200CPT telescope on SkyWatcher SolarQuest mount with ZWO ASI174mm camera and SharpCap Pro image capturing software. Exposure time was 2.649 ms. The image is formed from the best 75% of 200 frames, stacked using AutoStakkert2 with initial curve adjustments and sharpening in imPGG and final adjustments (de-hazing, contrast/brightness, embossing and colouring) in Affinity Photo.

Sun/20200609_0845_Sun_AR2765_MPC.png

Martin Cook, 09 June 2020.

The Sun in Hα light at 08:45 UT, with active region AR2765 showing a sunspot and filament. Lunt LS60THa/B1200 telescope, x2 Barlow lens, ZWO ASI178mm camera. 1.1 ms exposures. The image is formed from a stack of the best 15% of 2000 frames.

Sun/20200509_1100_Sun_Ha_MPC.jpg

Martin Cook, 09 May 2020.

A prominence on the solar limb in Hα light at 11:00 UT. Lunt LS60THa/B1200 telescope, x2 Barlow lens, ZWO ASI178mm camera. The image is formed from two videos each of 2000 frames. One video, using 5 ms exposures, is of the surface; the other, using 25 ms exposures, is of the prominence. The best 20% of frames of each video were stacked, to produce two images which were then processed in Photoshop to mask unwanted parts of each, combine the two and add false colour.

Sun/20200426_1230_Sun_Ha_MPC.jpg

Martin Cook, 26 April 2020.

A prominence on the solar limb in Hα light at 12:30 UT. Lunt LS60THa/B1200 telescope, x2 Barlow lens, ZWO ASI178mm camera. The image is formed from two videos each of 2000 frames. One video, using 7 ms exposures, is of the surface; the other, using 35 ms exposures, is of the prominence. The best 20% of frames of each video are stacked, to produce two images which are then processed in Photoshop to mask unwanted parts of each and combine the two.

Sun/20200404_1130_Sun_MPC.jpg

Martin Cook, 04 April 2020.

A prominence on the solar limb in Hα light at 11:30 UT. Lunt LS60THa/B1200 telescope and ZWO ASI178mm camera.

Sun/20190908_Sun_ML.jpg

Matthew Leeks, 08 September 2019.

Large prominences on the solar limb in Hα light. Lunt 60 mm telescope and Imaging Source DMK 41AU02 monochrome camera. Two one-minute videos captured for each of granulation and prominences. Approximately 1000 frames of each subject stacked down to one image of each, then overlapped and colourised.

Sun/20190826_142013_Sun_MPC.jpg

Martin Cook, 26 August 2019.

Large prominence on the solar limb in Hα light at 14:20 UT. Lunt LS60THa/B1200 telescope, x2 Barlow lens, QHY5P-II colour camera at 42 fps. Best 20% of 2000 images stacked in RegiStax 6.

Sun/20190825_105110_Sun_MPC.jpg

Martin Cook, 25 August 2019.

Large prominence on the solar limb in Hα light at 10:51 UT. Lunt LS60THa/B1200 telescope, QHY5P-II colour camera at 40 fps.

Sun/20190516_Sun_Ha_AR2741_JWH.gif

John Hughes, 16 May 2019.

Solar active region AR2741. The animation is composed of 24 frames displayed in a repeating loop. Frames are recorded every four minutes; each is created from an AVI comprising 1,000 images, of which the best 50% are stacked in AutoStakkert2. The 24 images were then processed in PhotoShop: levels adjusted for contrast, then two passes of unsharp mask. (First pass 300% at 1 pixel; second pass 40% at 5 pixels.) The GIF tool in PhotoShop was used to create the time-lapse with 80 ms between each frame. William Optics Z103ED; ZWO ASI174MM camera; Quark Chromosphere.

Sun/20190514_Sun_Ha_prom_neg.jpg

John Hughes, 14 May 2019.

Negative of the below image, showing the prominence more clearly.

Sun/20190514_Sun_Ha_prom.jpg

John Hughes, 14 May 2019.

The solar surface. Compiled from two images, one capturing the surface detail of the Sun with a 10 ms exposure and gain of 40, and the other with same exposure but the gain increased to show the prominence on the limb more clearly, effectively overexposing the surface. The two images are then overlaid in Photoshop using the "difference" layer setting, sharpening applied and levels adjusted. Taken with William Optics Z61, Daystar Quark Chromosphere, SharpCap, AutoStakkert2 and processed in Photoshop.

Sun/20190512_1244_AR2741_JWH.jpg

John Hughes, 12 May 2019.

Solar active region AR2741, one of two sunspots visible today. There are two umbral regions surrounded by the penumbra and a small plage to the bottom left of the spot. William Optics (WO) Z103, WO 1.25" diagonal, Quark Chromosphere, ZWO ASI174MM camera, Celestron AVX mount. Image produced from 1,000 frames then the best 600 stacked in Autostakkert2. Processed in Photoshop.

Sun/20181111_1145_Sun_MPC.png

Martin Cook, 11 November 2018.

A large solar prominence in Hα light, taken at 11:45 UT. Lunt LS50THa B600PT H-alpha solar telescope with 2x Barlow lens and QHY5P-II colour camera.

Sun/20180929_1030_Sun_MPC.png

Martin Cook, 29 September 2018.

A large solar prominence in Hα light, taken at 10:30 UT. Lunt LS50THa B600PT H-alpha solar telescope with 2x Barlow lens and QHY5P-II colour camera.

Sun/20180805_120004_Sun_MPC.png

Martin Cook, 05 August 2018.

A large solar flare in Hα light, taken at 12:00:04 UT. Lunt LS50THa B600PT H-alpha solar telescope with 2x Barlow lens and QHY5L-II colour camera. No sunspots were visible.

Sun/20180708_093219_Sun_MPC.png

Martin Cook, 08 July 2018.

Image of the Sun in Hα light, taken at 09:30 UT. Lunt LS50THa B600PT H-alpha solar telescope and QHY5L-II colour camera. Note the large flares at the two o'clock and five o'clock positions.

Sun/20180507_1300_Sun_MPC.png

Martin Cook, 07 May 2018.

Images of the Sun in Hα light, taken at 13:00 UT. Lunt LS50THa B600PT H-alpha solar telescope and QHY5L-II colour camera. There is a flare at the one o'clock position (shown with close-up).

Sun/20180422_130836_Sun_MPC.png

Martin Cook, 22 April 2018.

Images of the Sun in Hα light, taken at 13:09 UT. Lunt LS50THa B600PT H-alpha solar telescope and QHY5L-II colour camera. There is a large flare at the 12 o'clock position (shown with close-up) and a smaller one at 10 o’clock. At seven o’clock is sunspot group AR 2706.

Sun/20180419_Sun_AG.png

Andy Gibbs, 19 April 2018.

The disc of the Sun is featureless, but a few small prominences are visible around the lower edge (with close-up at bottom right). Coronado PST and QHY5L-II camera on Skywatcher Star Adventurer mount.

Sun/20170820_Sun_mtg_DM.jpg

David Murton, 20 August 2017.

Montage of images of the Sun in Hα light, taken 08:31-08:52 UT. Coronada PST with Altair GPCAMv2 IMX224 camera. Shows granulation, spicules, prominences, sunspots and plages.

Sun/20170713_Sun_AG.png

Andy Gibbs, 13 July 2017.

Large sunspot AR2665. The disturbance had started to decay but, a day later, unleashed a CME (coronal mass ejection) which was predicted to hit the Earth on 16-17 July. Coronado PST and QHY5L-II camera on Skywatcher Star Adventurer mount.

Sun/20170604_101227_Sun_DM.jpg

David Murton, 04 June 2017.

The Sun in Hα light, taken at 09:12 UT. Coronada PST with Altair GPCAMv2 IMX224 camera. Composite of smaller images stitched together.

Sun/20170604_100608_Sun_DM.jpg

David Murton, 04 June 2017.

The Sun in Hα light, taken at 09:08 UT. Coronada PST with Altair GPCAMv2 IMX224 camera. Composite of smaller images stitched together.

Sun/20170526_115357_Sun_DM.jpg

David Murton, 26 May 2017.

The Sun in Hα light, taken just before midday, UT. Coronado PST with Altair GPCAMv2 IMX224 camera and 2x Barlow lens.

Sun/20170324_Sun_AG.png

Andy Gibbs, 24 March 2017.

The Sun in white light. Meade 200 mm LX200 SCT. Kendrick white light filter. QHY5L-II camera. Just one sunspot (AR 2643) was visible; it had appeared after 15 spotless days at the beginning of the month.

Sun/20160903_082755_Sun_DM.jpg

David Murton, 03 September 2016.

The Sun in white light. William Optics ZS71 ED 71 mm, f/5.9 refractor on NEQ6 mount. Orion white light filter. Altair GPCAM v2 IMX224 camera. Image taken 10 minutes after the below one.

Sun/20160903_081603_Sun_DM.jpg

David Murton, 03 September 2016.

The Sun in Hα.Coronado PST with Altair GPCAM v2 IMX224 camera.

Sun/20160830_141939_Sun_DM.jpg

David Murton, 30 August 2016.

The Sun in Hα. Coronado PST with Altair GPCAM v2 IMX224 camera.

Sun/20160702_Sun_Ha_DM.jpg

David Murton, 02 July 2016.

The Sun in Hα. Coronado PST with Altair GPCAM v2 IMX224 camera. Many filaments are visible but no spots or prominences.

Sun/20160625_090000_Sun_DM.jpg

David Murton, 25 June 2016.

The Sun in Hα. Coronado PST with Altair GPCAM v2 IMX224 camera.

Sun/20160529_Sun_DM.jpg

David Murton, 29 May 2016.

Details and equipment as below image. Taken on Day 2 of OASI's "Astronomy in the Park" event.

Sun/20160528_Sun_DM.jpg

David Murton, 28 May 2016.

The Sun in Hα. Coronado PST with Altair GPCAM v2 IMX224 camera. Taken on Day 1 of OASI's "Astronomy in the Park" event in Christchurch Park, Ipswich.

Sun/20160430_Sun_WL_DM.jpg

David Murton, 01 May 2016.

The Sun in white light. William Optics ZS71 ED 71 mm, f/5.9 refractor on NEQ6 mount. Orion white light filter. Altair GPCAM camera.

Sun/20160430_Sun_Ha_DM1.jpg

David Murton, 01 May 2016.

Details and equipment as below image.

Sun/20160430_Sun_Ha_DM4.jpg

David Murton, 01 May 2016.

The Sun in Hα. Coronado PST and Altair GPCAM v2 IMX224 camera.

Sun/20160417_Sun_DM.jpg

David Murton, 17 April 2016.

The Sun in white light with a huge sunspot about to disappear over the western limb while a smaller one has recently appeared at the eastern limb. William Optics ZS71 ED 71 mm, f/5.9 refractor on NEQ6 mount. Orion white light filter. Altair GPCAM camera. Close up using 4x Powermate.

Sun/20160329_Sun_DM.jpg

David Murton, 29 March 2016.

A quiescent Sun. William Optics ZS71 ED 71 mm, f/5.9 refractor on NEQ6 mount. Altair GPCAM camera. Close up using 4x Powermate.

Sun/20150927_1345_Sun_HA_DM.jpg

David Murton, 27 September 2015.

The Sun in Hα. Coronado PST and QHY5L-II planetary camera.

Sun/20150926_Sun_KJF_5589.jpg

Kev Fulcher, 26 September 2015.

Skywatcher 200P on HEQ5 mount, RA driven. White light filter. Canon 70D camera.

Sun/20150627_Sun_HA_DM.jpg

David Murton, 27 June 2015.

The Sun in Hα. Coronado PST and QHY5L-II planetary camera. (Taken at same time as below image.)

Sun/20150627_Sun_WL_DM.jpg

David Murton, 27 June 2015.

The Sun in white light.

Sun/20150414_Sun_MRH.png

Martin Richmond-Hardy, 14 April 2015.

Sunspots in white light. Skywatcher 200PDS Dobsonian, white-light Baader solar filter, 2x Barlow, Canon EOS 500D.

Sun/20150323_Sun_DM.jpg

David Murton, 23 March 2015.

The Sun in Hα. Coronado PST and QHY5L-II planetary camera.

Sun/20141025_Comp_MRH.png

Martin Richmond-Hardy, 25 October 2014.

The Sun with close-up of active region AR2192. White light. Skywatcher 200PDS Dobsonian, Baader solar filter, 2x Barlow for close-up, Canon EOS 500D.

Sun/20140823_Sun_MRH.jpg

Martin Richmond-Hardy, 23 August 2014.

The Sun in white light. Skywatcher 200PDS Dobsonian, Baader solar filter, Canon EOS 500D.

Sun/20140707_Sun_MRH_2883.jpg

Martin Richmond-Hardy, 07 July 2014.

Sunspots in white light. Skywatcher 200PDS Dobsonian, 2x Barlow, Baader solar filter, Canon EOS 500D.

Sun/20140703_Sun_MRH_2881.jpg

Martin Richmond-Hardy, 03 July 2014.

Sunspots in white light. Skywatcher 200PDS Dobsonian, 2x Barlow, Baader solar filter, Canon EOS 500D.

Sun/20140105_Sun_MJH.jpg

Mike Harlow, 05 January 2014.

The Sun in white light, with active region AR1944 (visible to the naked eye with a solar filter). The image was taken shortly after sunrise, with the Sun at very low altitude, so suffers from atmospheric distortion. Canon 550D with 500 mm Tamron lens.

Sun/20130729_Sun_JHJ.jpg

Jeremy Hennell James, 29 July 2013.

Sunspots and faculae in white light. Skywatcher 150 mm reflector with AstroZap Baader solar filter, Canon 5D MkIII.

Sun/20120725_Sun_AG_14.jpg

Andy Gibbs, 25 July 2012.

Large prominence in Hα. Coronado PST and Meade LPI.

Sun/20120712_Sun_MJH.jpg

Mike Harlow, 12 July 2012.

The Sun in white light, with active region AR1520 (visible to the naked eye with a solar filter). Canon 550D with 500 mm lens and ND5 solar filter.

Sun/20120513_Sun_MN.jpg

Mike Norris, 13 May 2012.

The Sun in white light with sunspot group AR1476. Celestron C90 spotting scope with Baader AstroSolar Film and Meade 26 mm eyepiece (48x magnification). Hand-held Lumix compact camera.

Sun/20120508_Sun_MJH.jpg

Mike Harlow, 08 May 2012.

Large sunspot group below imaged one day later. Equipment as below.

Sun/20120507_Sun_MJH.jpg

Mike Harlow, 07 May 2012.

Large sunspot group in white light. Canon 550D with 500 mm lens and ND5 solar filter.

Sun/20100602_solar_flare_MPC.jpg

Martin Cook, 02 June 2010.

Solar flare in Hα. Coronado PST and Olympus C765 camera using eyepiece projection.

Sun/20100524_solar_flare_MPC.jpg

Martin Cook, 24 May 2010.

Solar flare in Hα. Coronado PST and Olympus C765 camera using eyepiece projection.

Sun/20031027_sunspots_MPC.jpg

Martin Cook, 27 October 2003.

White light image of solar active regions AR10484-9. Active regions AR10484 and AR10486 are among the largest ever recorded: AR10484 grew to approximately the size of the planet Jupiter! On 04 November 2003, AR10486 emitted a gigantic solar flare which, fortunately, was not aimed directly at Earth and therefore did not disrupt communications. Photograph of solar projection using 250 mm Dobsonian.

Sun/20010528_AR9463_MPC.jpg

Martin Cook, 28 May 2001.

White light image of sunspots in active region AR9463 (soon to disappear over the western limb). Photograph of image projected onto white card using the Tomline Refractor at Orwell Park Observatory.

Sun/19840426_sunspots_RCA.gif

Roy Adams, 26 April 1984.

White light image of sunspot group circa 280,000 km in diameter.

Sun/19840130_sunspots_RCA.gif

Roy Adams, 30 January 1984.

White light image of below sunspot group soon to disappear over the western limb. Image taken with same equipment as below. 8 ms exposure on 32 ASA film.

Sun/19840125_sunspots_RCA.gif

Roy Adams, 25 January 1984.

White light image of sunspot group recently emerged over the eastern limb. 48 mm object glass coupled to Zenith camera giving 140x magnification. Solar filter. 2 ms exposure.


Updated: 01 January 2021