Solar H-Alpha: APR 24, 2009 - 00:55 UT

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Solar H-Alpha Sketch - APR 24, 2009 - 00:55 UT

H-Alpha Solar Sketch

Move mouse over sketch above to view labels
Click image for larger version.

Observation Notes:

Today was first light for the new Coronado PST that arrived this morning. The views were excellent, and although there were no sunspots to study, a number of prominences decorated the limb. It was amazing to watch how quickly they changed from minute to minute. The strongest of the bunch was at PA 215°, standing like a pillar and fluttering southward at the tip. I broke out the astrometric eyepiece and measured it at 1/31 solar diameter, or 28,000 miles (41,000 km) in height. A dirigible of plasma levitated consistently at PA 260° and remained there during a half hour of observing. Another at PA 65° began as a bright lump that rapidly developed a polyp that separated and flowed downward like a drop of red food coloring entering water.

I wasn't planning on a sketch, but I couldn't help it. I used digital tools to add color, glow, and mottling. I'm not sure if I'll stick with that format down the road, but it's a starting point. I have a lot to learn!

[Edit APR 25, 2009]: I realized that the PST does not mirror the image as I assumed it did. I have flipped my sketch to the correct orientation and have fixed my PA estimates to match.

SubjectSolar H-Alpha
Sunspots0
Sunspot Groups0
Date/TimeAPR 23, 2009 05:55 - 06:22 PM MST
(APR 24, 2009 00:55 - 01:22 UT
Observing Loc.Flagstaff, AZ - Home
InstrumentCoronado PST - 40 mm f/10
Eyepieces/Mag.Pentax XW 10 (40X); Meade Astrometric Eyepiece (33X)
ConditionsPartly Cloudy, Breezy
SeeingAnt. III

2 Comments

This is a fantastic sketch Jeremy! I really thought it was a photograph at first — a real testament to your artistic skill. I look forward to more of your solar observations in the future.

Ewan

Thanks Ewan. I'm looking forward to more. The constant wind has made it extremely difficult the last few days.

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About this Entry

This page contains a single entry by Jeremy Perez published on April 23, 2009 11:16 PM.

Mottled Galaxies was the previous entry in this blog.

Messier 61 (NGC 4303) is the next entry in this blog.

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