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March 2011

SPA SOLAR SECTION

March 2011

Rotation Nos.  2107,  2108

WHITE LIGHT

A month with solar activity that split into two parts, in mid-month a day with very little,  either side two lengthy periods of good activity .  In the first half the NH  had most activity , the second  had activity in both hemispheres.

During the first week NH AR’s 1164,1166,1167 and 1169 spread across the disc , on the 7^th., 1166 near the CM and 1164 nearing the W limb,1169 just in from the E and  SH1165 was at the W limb . 1166 was a a fine gathering of some 18 sunspots, 1165 ditto with about 23 reported.   In week 2  5 AR’s were visible  by the 9^th, with new small SH 1170 at the W limb.   In week 3 the 16^th. was the quietest day of the month, with just two small AR’s reported , NH1172 by the CM and 1169 in  the W.   On the 19^th strong AR NH1175 was past the CM.

The  month finished with good actiivity  across both hemispheres,  on the 27^th 5 AR’s , the 28th.  6 AR’s , NH 1177,1180 and 1183  and SH 1176 , 1178 and 1181.   SH1176 was a good  AR in the week  with a fine leader and follower.  16  sunspots being counted.  NH1183 was a fine sight also with 18 sunspots on the 29^th.

 Lee Macdonald, on the 8^th., saw the most active Sun he had seen in years, Bob Dryden making his highest MDF count since April 2006 . Malin Keal , John Docherty , Ian Phelps and Brian Gordon-States also registered high sunspot  counts. Faculae was also much in evidence, Alan Heath regularly observing it.

Fine, detailed pictures were taken by Peter Paice, Ron Westmaas and Brian Woosnam , and drawings by Dale Holt .

MDF  3.10     R  52.01

H-ALPHA

    The AR’s through the month showed a good amount of bright plaging, and flares associated with the stronger ones were observed by Brian Gordon-States and the Director on the 19^th . ( AR1175) and  Alan on the 8^th. and 10^th.,  (AR1164) . Lee reported  probable ones on the 8^th. , to AR1164 and  1166.

Prominences and filaments were good through the month , Ian Lee making his usual finely detailed drawings and records of the actiivity, including large bright prominences on the 19^th. to the NE and SW , in the SE,  NW  and SW on the 21^st.  and a big, widespread SW hedgerow on the 23^rd.

Excellent photographs came from Alan Clitherow, Brian Woosnam, Peter Paice , Ken Whayman and  Peter Vasey .

MDF   3.96

 To see a selection of the many pictures received, go to the Solar part of the SPA website , then to Monthly Reports.

Observers :      Ian Phelps,  Brian Gordon-States,  Peter Paice,  Alan Heath, Bob Dryden, John  Docherty, Malin Keal, Ron Westmaas, Brian Woosnam, Lee Macdonald, Ian Lee  Dale Holt , Peter Vasey, Ken Whayman, and the Director

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