The Sun on September 1, 2024

An incredible loop prominence appeared on the Sun today.

September 1, 2024

Tags: Solar Astronomy, Astronomy, Astrophotography, Photography

WARNING: When observing the Sun, be sure to do so safely! Use only equipment that is designed specifically for that purpose and is produced by reputable manufacturers. Follow their directions closely. Do not improvise your own filter material for solar observing. If you are careless, you risk instant and permanent vision loss or injury.

When I checked the Solar Dynamics Observatory’s current data page this morning, I saw an incredible loop prominence (a.k.a. coronal loop) had appeared.

Sun — Loop prominence as seen by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory this morning. NASA/SDO

Curious to know if it might be visible in my Lunt H-alpha solar telescope, I went over to GONG’s current H-alpha data page. Although I knew no Earth-based telescope could match the performance of a solar telescope sitting out in space, sure enough that loop prominence was also visible in H-alpha, albeit not as boldly as what appeared in the image from the SDO.

Sun — The GONG H-alpha camera at Cerro Tololo also showed a loop prominence. GONG/NSO/AURA/NSF

I hadn’t planned on setting up my solar scope during what was proving to be an increasingly hot day, but I made an exception for this.

I’ll be the first to admit that my H-alpha solar imaging setup is not ideal. But I was nevertheless excited to capture at least a bit of this phenomenon in a photograph I took myself.

Sun — Canon EOS M200 with Lunt Solar Systems 60mm H-alpha telescope, ISO 1600, 1/25 sec., f/8.

I find these structures to be one of the most beautiful things in solar astronomy. They are not rare, but they are rather uncommon.

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