The Sun - May 2, 2013

This image of the Sun was taken at the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory on May 2, 2013 at 11:49 AM with a hydrogen-alpha telescope.

The Sun showed off several interesting details for visitors. There were several sunspot groups (areas of increased magnetic activity), one of which later produced an M-class solar flare. The bright areas surrounding the sunspots are cloud-like features called plages.  The dark lines on the disk of the Sun (filaments) and the bright loops seen along the edges (prominences) are actually the same phenomenon; both features are magnetic loops protruding out of the Sun.

Look for differences between this view of the Sun and the view one day earlier and one day later.

Telescope: Lunt 100mm hydrogen- alpha

Camera: Lumenera SKYnyx 2-2M