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View Full Version here: : ID needed on fuzzy sun spot.

Moontanner
27-02-2016, 06:47 PM
Hi All,

While messing around with my Ha solar scope today I noticed a strange fuzzy object that was a fair way from the sun. The thing only appeared while I was messing around with the settings to try and bring out some detail on the limb.
Does anyone know what it was? I've never seen anything quite that far from the edge and was wondering if it's just a reflection bouncing around inside the focuser, or ?

Please see attached image and pardon the poor quality.

Regards.
Ross.
Somnium
27-02-2016, 09:00 PM
looks like some flare activity to me ...
Moontanner
27-02-2016, 09:18 PM
G'day Aidan,

Is it normal for flares to totally separate from the limb and float off into space like that? Everything I've seen previously suggests that gravity keeps things fairly close.

I'm not sure the reduced image I posted shows enough detail. The fuzzy spots I'm talking about are half way up the shot and much further out than the two main flares.

R.
OzEclipse
27-02-2016, 10:26 PM
Hello R.
Detached prominences are not especially rare. I have seen a number of detached proms during 11 totalities as well as through Ha filters.
J
Atmos
27-02-2016, 10:27 PM
If it is a real thing it could theoretically be a CME.
Somnium
27-02-2016, 10:34 PM
example of what you are probably looking at ... looks pretty similar :)
Moontanner
28-02-2016, 05:58 PM
That pretty much looks like it. I was surprised that the PST (with Denkenmier upgrade) could show so much detail.
Thanks for the pic.


Thanks Atmos. I was very dubious about making out such a feature with my little scope. After doing a bit of checking on the various solar websites, and going through all my shots to see if it was a reflection of a sunspot or the like it really seems like I was seeing a CME. Pretty exciting stuff for a newbie like myself.

This was a first for me. I've only had it for 6 months and it gets a fair bit of use as It's always a quick and easy thrill with a solar scope.
Next time I'll try to get some better data recorded so I can attempt to tease more detail out.


Thanks for the help everyone. This is a hobby that never ceases to amaze me.

Regards.
Ross.