2011 06 01 Solar Prominences, Possible CME

2011 06 01, 1500 UT – 1630 UT

PCW Memorial Observatory, Zanesville, Ohio USA – Erika Rix
Temp: 32.3°C, Humidity 42%, SE winds 5mph
Seeing: Wilson 4, Transparency: 2/6
DS 60mm Maxscope, LXD75, 21-7mm Zhumell

There were six active regions on the Sun, but a western prominence region caught my eye as a possible CME that took place during my observation. If it was simply an erupting prominence, it was the brightest I’ve witnessed as such. I’ve created an animation of my sketch sequence that I recorded during the observation at 5-minute intervals.

Sketches created scopeside with black Strathmore Artagain paper, white Conte’ crayon and pencil, Derwent charcoal pencil, black oil pencil, oil pastels

This was my first attempt at creating a color solar sketch with oil pastels. It may have worked better if the pastels weren’t so blunt and the problem of the pastels turning soft from the heat (even though I kept the box from direct sunlight). Still, I was pleasantly surprised at the colors compared to other attempts at using colored pencils or colored pastels for sketching the Sun. With a bit more practice, or if I can find oil pastel pencils), I might actually enjoy using color over my preferred method of monochrome.