2012 6 25 – New active region and NW Prominence
There is a new active region about 30 degrees off the eastern limb. There were two groups of sunspots in that region with several smaller patches in between them. In hydrogen alpha, plage supported the northern group of sunspots. Seeing was crisp during my h-alpha session. I attempted white light after 1600 UT but the seeing had deteriorated quite a bit and I was unable to get a sharp enough view for a close up active region sketch in white light. I did see faculae just inside the limb near the new active region. Two days ago, I observed facula in white light just inside the eastern limb. I imagine this is now the active region seen today with the sunspots.
There were large patches of plage in the southern hemisphere of the h-alpha view. Several smaller filaments were scattered throughout them. A larger thin filament reached about 30-40 degrees east to west in the northern hemisphere. There was a thick line of prominences on the western hemisphere. Two of the prominences were particularly tall. One was an “A” shape with two openings at the base of it. It was very bright in appearance and thick. At the opposite side, a very slender tall prominence stood about 15 degrees out from the limb, connected by two faint lines of plasma directly beneath and then a thicker bundle of prominence to the eastern edge of it.
Sketches created at the eyepiece with black Strathmore Artagain paper, white Conte’ crayon and pencil, white Prang color pencil, Derwent charcoal pencil, black oil pencil.
PCW Memorial Observatory - Erika Rix 