The Sun - August 14, 2013

This image of the Sun was taken at 11:58 am on August 14, 2013 at the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory.

After a month of quiet, the Sun stirred with new activity this week. In this hydrogen-alpha view of the atmosphere of the Sun, two complex sunspot groups are visible near the center. They are both magnetically active, making the bright clouds of gas around them glow brightly.

There were also a number of dramatic prominences visible around the edge of the Sun. Look for a series of arches to the upper left, standing about six times as tall as the Earth. Below that, look for a prominence that has completely detached from the Sun.

These features were still visible the next day to visitors at the Public Observatory.

Telescope: Lunt 100mm hydrogen-alpha

Camera: Lumenera SKYnyx 2-2M