Sunspots on August 13, 2004

I made the following images of sunspots today. The first image is of AR 661 (I think that is what it is called, it is old AR 652 coming back onto the visible side of the sun.

http://glory.gc.maricopa.edu/~pmaxson/Solar/Sun0813-661-5.jpg

I was out about 8a mlocal time and the sky was clear and the solar image crisp. So, instead of imaging I went back inside and ate breakfast. Sure enough, clouds starting covering the sun. After another hour wait, the conditions cleared somewhat and I got the above and images below. Sometimes the first impression is the best one!!

Below is the massive group AR 656. The first image was shot using a Baader IRB filter with the Baader solar filter. Just for the heck of it I tried my Sirius Optics IRB filter for the second image, shot 5 minutes apart. The difference is dramatic. I want to do more tests before I draw conclusions. Also, I tried to shoot with no IRB filter and all I got was a blob for the spot group. Interesting!!

http://glory.gc.maricopa.edu/~pmaxson/Solar/Sun0813-656-2.jpg

http://glory.gc.maricopa.edu/~pmaxson/Solar/Sun0813-656-3.jpg

Paul Maxson
http://glory.gc.maricopa.edu/~pmaxson/