Sunspot Observations


  
The image above was taken on 2015-09-19, and shows AR2418, a substantial sunspot.  But what is more facinating is the area surrounding AR2418 where we clearly see the granulation on the Sun's photosphere (surface).

 

Spotless Days on the Sun

2015

0 days

0%

2014

1 day

< 1%

2013

0 days

0%

2012

0 days

0%

2011

2 days

< 1%

2010

51 days

14%

2009

260 days

71%

 Credit: SpaceWeather.com


The active latitudes for Sunspots to appear were between 0 degrees and 10 degrees North of the Sun's equator. The majority of the total number of Sunspots observed for September 2015 appeared in the Northern Hemisphere between 0 degrees and 30 degrees.


 

Data provided by Project Night Sky Solar Dynamics - September 2015


September 2015 produced a total of 32 groups and 65 individual Sunspots from 9 observations. September 2015 has shown a considerable decrease in activity from August 2015. A Mean Daily Frequency (MDF) of 3.56 was measured for September 2015 and although higher than August 2015, it is not to be regarded as an increase in solar activity. The total Sunspot Count for September 2015 was 385.

 

 

 

As seen in the image above, the main feature is a sunspot recorded as AR2192 and appeared around mid-late October 2014. This sunspot is the largest in 24 years, compared to AR6368 in November 1990. AR2192 is estimated at around 16 times the size of Earth.

 

Sunspots range in size from the smallest observable objects to huge areas. Sunspots are cooler regions of the solar surface caused by intense localized magnetic fields that bring the upward convection of internal material to a virtual standstill.

 

Sunspots come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. While the simplest sunspots are isolated dark areas, larger spots are quite dramatic. Complex spots feature a dark central region called the umbra surrounded by a gray penumbra.

Sunspots are carried by the Sun's rotation from east to west, taking nearly 14 days to cross the face of the Sun. If a sunspot group contains one or more spots it is designated an "Active Region" (or "AR") number by NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

 

WARNING: NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN, OR THROUGH ANY APPARATUS WHICH HAS NOT BEEN FITTED WITH A PROPPER SOLAR FILTER!

              Other Phenomenon

The Amateur's Guide to Sunspot Observations

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SUN HALO

Sun Halos are a sign of high thin Cirrus Clouds drifting 20,000 feet or more above our heads.

Scientifically these halos are called "22 Degree Halos" because the two reflections bend the light by 22 degrees from its original direction.

This means that the halo can be seen when your eyes make a 22 degree angle with the Sun.

The ring is caused by sunlight passing through the ice crystals in Cirrus Clouds (containing millions of tiny ice crystals) within the Earth's atmosphere. The crystals bend direct sunlight, projecting at 22 degrees.


PROMINENCES & FLARES

Image Credit: NASA/SDO

Prominences are dense clouds of material that are associated with active regions are characteristically short-lived.

They often appear as closed loops or as violent ejections of matter in sprays and surges.

A filament is the same as a prominence, except that whereas prominences are seen outside the Sun's disc, filaments are seen against the disc.

Image Credit: SDO/NASA Goddard's Scientific Visualization Studio

Flares are a sudden release of the Sun's energy. They can have an effect on Earth in that it can break up radio communications and cell-phone calls.

They begin with a sudden brightening, usually near sunspots, and increase to maximum brightness in 5 to 10 minutes.

During this time the solar flare spreads to surrounding areas. The most favorable times for flares to occur are when sunspot groups are decaying or growing.


SOLAR CYCLE

Sunspot activity varies over an 11-year period - called a Solar Cycle, or also referref to as a Sunspot Cycle.

The increase and decrease of sunspots is averaged over 11 years, although some cycles can be as short as 8 years and other even as long as 13 years. A solar cycle has a Solar Maximum and Solar Minimum. 

During Solar Max the Sun is bustling with action.  The increase of solar flares and CME's (Coronal Mass Ejections) can cause disruption to various types of electronic equipment, both in Space and on Earth.

Solar Min is the opposite of Solar Max, when things are quiter on the Sun, but this is not to say that nothing happens as Solar activity never stops.



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