Eruptions

 

2 eruptions on the sun's eastern edge today from groups 4478 & 4479. Otherwise a fairly calm sun on the disk but a new sunspot is in the works on the western edge as well as a beautiful prominence.

Giant sunspot group

Active Region 4478 (AR 4478) is a giant sunspot group on the surface of the Sun that was discovered as it rotated forward on the eastern solar limb. This region has quickly gained attention as one of the largest sunspot groups in modern history, on par with the historic region AR 3664 from 2024. Characteristics and Size Enormous scale: The region spans an area significantly larger than planet Earth. It is so large that it can be seen with the naked eye if you wear approved solar eclipse glasses. Magnetic complexity: The sunspot group has been classified with the highest possible magnetic complexity (beta-gamma-delta). This means that its magnetic field lines are tightly entangled. Explosive potential: The complex magnetic structure means that AR 4478 carries enough energy to trigger powerful M-class and X-class solar flares.

Active Sun

 A really lovely view through the scope today! A lot of activity at the sun with some great prominences today.

Wonderful prominence

A beautiful view through the Ha solar filter the other day with a fantastic prominence at the eastern limb. 

The Sun

Solar filaments are enormous arcs of dense, ionized gas (plasma) that float above the surface of the Sun, held together by powerful and intricate magnetic fields. They are part of the Sun's dynamic atmosphere and are closely linked to the phenomenon of prominences.

1. What is the difference between a filament and a prominence?

They are essentially the same physical phenomenon, but the name comes from perspective:

Filament: When the structure is viewed from the front against the bright solar disk, it appears as dark, thread-like lines. This is because the plasma in the arc is slightly cooler (and therefore less luminous than the hot solar surface (photosphere) behind it).

Protuberance: When the structure is viewed at the edge of the Sun (limb) against the dark background of space, it appears as a bright, glowing arc extending from the solar surface.

2. Properties and Formation

Structure: Filaments form along magnetic "neutral lines" where regions of opposite magnetic polarity meet. They consist of fine threads that follow the magnetic field lines.

Size: They can be hundreds of thousands of kilometers long, which is often significantly larger than the Earth or even Jupiter.

Lifespan: Stable filaments can exist for anywhere from a few days to several months before either collapsing or breaking apart. Sun photographed 2026-04-11 Carpe Noctem Observatory.

 

Very active Sun so far in 2023

 Photos from 4th of july 2023.