Solar Observation Report 6/29/01 From driveway, 37 Oakwood Road

Equipment: TV 102, C-8, Baader filter on 102, Lumicon prominence filter on C-8. Viewing from about 10:30 to 12:45

At first glance through the 102, the sunspots were fairly boring today. But as I looked more critically trying to sketch them, it became must more interesting. I still only counted a total of 15 total sunspots in about 7 families, although I didn't check this on any web sites. Three really was only one group of more than two sunspots and these appeared to be very small. This group contained 8 sunspots! The rest were scattered all over the place. I took several prime focus images, but ordered a 2" tele- extender today.

I put the solar prominence filter on the C-8 and saw a rather large flare (at first glance). I called Chris out to look, and he said "To heck with that one, look at the one to the left!" Well, he was right. There was a rather large prominence near a sunspot group on the limb. It really could be the largest prominence I've ever seen. I saw two other flares and two other smaller prominences, and the first flare actually looked more like a prominence seen more edge on than a flare. I took several photos, and hope one comes out. I'll let you know.

As an afterthought, I put the Orion solar filter on the C-8. It wasn't much to look at.