Mon, 30 Apr 2012

Solar flare caught in the act

SPA Solar Section Director has photographed a dramatic solar flare in a large active region (AR) that has appeared around the east limb in the Sun's southern hemisphere.

Richard Bailey's pictures, taken on Monday 30 April, show it changing over a matter of minutes.

The AR is predicted to have further activity during the next seven days or so. Observers with h-alpha filter systems should keep a watch for further flares, and other observers for the changing sunspot activity in the AR.

NEVER look at the Sun directly with naked eyes or optical equipment not properly and securely fitted with approved solar filters. Instead, project an image onto a shaded white card to see the  sunspots  

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Added by: Robin Scagell