Solar Prominence and Sunspot 1271. Credit: John Chumack
John Chumack captured this photo of the blazing Sun during a solar prominence that occurred on August 21, 2011. Also in the photo is the Sunspot 1271.
A solar prominence is a feature of the Sun characterized by huge and bright loops extending outwards from the Sun’s surface. But don’t be fooled. It may look burning hot but it actually consists of a much cooler plasma compared to the solar surface. Sunspots are another solar phenomenon where intense magnetic activity causes visible dark spots to appear on the Sun’s photosphere.
John took this photo using a Lunt 60mm/50F H-Alpha Solar Scope with a DMK firwire camera and 2x barlow lens and combined 693 frames.
Check out John’s website for more amazing astrophotography.
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