Twists of the Solar Flux

January 18, 2008 Solar Prominences
By Erika Rix

20080118

Solar

PCW Memorial Observatory, Zanesville, Ohio USA, Lat 40.01/Long -81.56

Erika Rix

Still not quite recovered from the neck surgery, Paul was good enough to open and
close the roll off roof of the observatory for me.  I was able to carry down the
battery supply for the LXD75 for tracking as well as close up (after my session) the
southern drop down wall that enables me to view the Sun at the lower altitude.  The
enclosed area within the observatory certainly helps control the stability of the
scope with the winds today at 11.5 mph.  The temperature was comfortable at 26F, but
with the lack of surface details, I wrapped up the session in just less than an
hour’s time. 

The haze limited the performance at higher magnification, but with a little
patience, I had moments where I could drop down to 7mm (57x) with the zoom eyepiece.
 Seeing flipped back and forth and the best views seemed to be around 30x
magnification. 

There were 7 areas of prominences that I was able to record with no significant
surface detail.  Three of these areas were sketched. 

The brightest prominence was about 55 degrees PA and I did a three sketch sequence
of it noting the small changes in appearance over 40 minutes’ time span.  This was
after the original overall sketch of the limb.  The basic outline of this prom
really didn’t change a great deal.  But looking closely within the structure, there
was quite a difference in the intricate network.

At 1209ST (1709UT) at the end of the session around 70 degrees PA, a very bright
small blob of a prominence appeared and then left just about as quickly.  It may
have just been that I was able to see it well during a brief moment of steady clear
seeing.  Still, it was very noteworthy and I was happy to catch it.

Sketch media: black Strathmore Artagain paper, white Conte’ and white Prang pencils,
white vinyl eraser, fixative

Post processing: -25 brightness, +4 contrast, resized and created collage by pasting
selected prominences on black background.  Used digital disk for position angles
from Tilting Sun program.