The Sun - May 9, 2013

This image was taken at the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory on May 9, 2013 at 12:25 pm EDT, with a hydrogen-alpha telescope.

Several prominences could be seen by visitors to the public observatory, including the large one seen on the right side of the image. Prominences are magnetic arcs along which plasma flows. There is also a large sunspot group near the largest prominence. Sunspots are magnetic storms on the sun. Surrounding the sunspot is a brighter area called a plage. These are bright clouds that float above the surface of the Sun.

Telescope: Lunt 100 mm hydrogen-alpha

Camera: Lumenera SKYnyx 2-2M