Saturday Sol.

[Saturnine (Jeff)]

Hi All

There has been some activity on the Sun lately , with some small spots, from the new cycle starting up. Also a large prom that erupted on Friday that left some plasma behind that I managed to image, but not in detail because of the seeing , through a covering of high cirrus, wrecking the contrast.

[PKay (Peter)]

Interesting Jeff, well done.

Personally, after a lifetime of surfing, I have enough of my own sunspots so can't even contemplate what your up too...

[Sunfish (Ray)]

Fascinating. Great images.

Can we expect more Aurora soon?

I think when we were in Exmouth a few years ago the US solar observatory was on a skeleton staff and there was a solar minimum. Things are warming up again.

Originally Posted by Saturnine

Hi All

There has been some activity on the Sun lately , with some small spots, from the new cycle starting up. Also a large prom that erupted on Friday that left some plasma behind that I managed to image, but not in detail because of the seeing , through a covering of high cirrus, wrecking the contrast.

[Saturnine (Jeff)]

Sorry for not replying sooner, busy day yesterday.
Ray (Sunfish) try this site for aurora predictions

http://www.aurora-service.net/. And also http://www.skippysky.com.au/Australia/ has an Auroral Oval predictions map on its pages

Basically it is possible to get aurora at any time there has been a large CME directed toward the earth and the impact is during our night time. CMEs' are more likely at times of solar max activity, we are currently at a solar minimum. I have seen an auroral display from the Illawarra, in 2002 I think and know that a former club member has imaged aurora from the Kiama region a few times during strong storms a few years ago, so if a storm is strong enough it is possible but more likely at solar max. in 5 or 6 years time.

Peter, likewise after a lifetime of surfing, since the mid sixties, I've had a few spots removed but I enjoy looking at the spots and prominences on Sol.