This Hydrogen-alpha image of the Sun was taken at the Public Observatory at the Museum in DC at 1:30 pm on November 11, 2012.

A dramatic prominence on the lower left stands about five times as tall as the Earth. This arch of hot gas is following magnetic loops above the surface of the Sun.

Dark sunspots (cooler areas on the surface of the Sun where there is intense magnetic activity) and bright plages (clouds of hot gas above sunspots) are also visible.

Telescope: Lunt 100mm Hydrogen-alpha

Camera: Lumenera SKYnyx2-2M

Created:

November 11, 2012

Photographer:

Geneviève de Messières

ID#:

WEB12650-2012

Source:

Smithsonian Public Observatory Project

Copyright:

Smithsonian Institution

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