The Sun Today

[jeff.stevens]

2023 Sep 13 at 13h15mUT - 66mm William Optics Refractor - 31x - Baader filter.

Very poor attempt today. In between heavy intermittent clouds, I only managed a partial sketch, during which the transparency was atrocious.

Best wishes, Jeff.

[RMSteele]

Two week gap due to a visit to an aged relative. Back now and conditions were appalling today with continual racing cloud, wind and constant haze. 2023 Sept 25 at 1115 UT, seeing fair but transparency very poor, New Farnley, Leeds UK. Equipment: 60mm refractor F15, 15mm plossl eyepiece, EQ5 motor mount, by projection in white light via 90 degree diagonal. 8 spot groups consisting of 3 spot groups north with 1, 1, and 4 spots, and 5 groups south consisting of 4, 16, 1, 13, and 1 spots. 41 spots in total all counted from following to preceding. No doubt many spots were missed due to conditions described above. Best wishes, Bob

[jeff.stevens]

Weather, work and personal commitments have conspired against me, Bob. On the few opportunities I have had, the conditions have deterred me.

Best wishes, Jeff.

[RMSteele]

2023 Sept 26 at 1115 UT, seeing and transparency fair, New Farnley, Leeds UK. Equipment: as above. 8 spot groups consisting of 6 spot groups north with 1, 5, 1, 2, 11, and 1 spots, and 2 groups south consisting of 14, and 27 spots. 62 spots in total all counted from following to preceding. Sun fairly low but the projected image was quite well defined. Best wishes, Bob

[jeff.stevens]

2023 Sep 29 at 14h00mUT - 66mm WO refractor at 31x with Baader filter

First solar obs since 13th Sept. I am hopefully past the worst of Covid today, but still feeling a bit wiped out. The sight and warmth of the sun tempted me out for a few minutes to make this observation. Seeing and transparency were good for the short time I was observing.

Active region 3448 (centre far left) was the most impressive for me, with a really dark centre, and so distractingly prominent. Lovely to see quite a few sunspot groups, although I suspect I have missed some interesting activity.

Best wishes, Jeff.

[RMSteele]

Glad you are better Jeff, you haven’t missed much weather wise - I haven’t been able to get out either, been cutting the tree up for 2 days that blew down in my front garden. I shall try to catch the Sun now if I’m lucky , best wishes, Bob

[RMSteele]

2023 Sept 29 at 1515UT, seeing and transparency good, New Farnley, Leeds UK. Equipment: as above. 7 spot groups consisting of 4 spot groups north with 1, 16, 2, and 1 spots, and 3 groups south consisting of 12, 1, and 2 spots. 35 spots in total all counted from following to preceding. Sun fairly low but the projected image was well defined. Best wishes, Bob

[jeff.stevens]

I haven’t been able to get out either, been cutting the tree up for 2 days that blew down in my front garden.

That will have let a bit of light in, and perhaps opened up more visible sky?

Best wishes, Jeff.

[RMSteele]

2023 Oct 04 at 1230UT, seeing and transparency poor with very hazy sky, New Farnley, Leeds UK. Equipment: as above. 7 spot groups consisting of 4 spot groups north with 6, 12, 6, and 1 spots, and 3 groups south with 3, 8, and 1 spots. 37 spots in total all counted from following to preceding. Best wishes, Bob

[RMSteele]

2023 Oct 07 at 1445UT, seeing and transparency poor with hazy sky, New Farnley, Leeds UK. Equipment: as above. 6 spot groups consisting of 4 spot groups north with 1, 15, 8, and 1 spots, and 2 groups south with 1, and 5 spots. 31 spots in total all counted from following to preceding. Best wishes, Bob

[RMSteele]

2023 Oct 09 at 1020 UT, seeing and transparency poor with hazy sky, New Farnley, Leeds UK. Equipment: as above. 7 spot groups consisting of 3 spot groups north with 1, 11, and 1 spots, and 4 groups south with 2, 14, 1, and 1 spots. 31 spots in total all counted from following to preceding. Best wishes, Bob

[RMSteele]

2023 Oct 12 at 0840 UT, seeing and transparency fair, New Farnley, Leeds UK. Equipment: as above. 7 spot groups consisting of 5 spot groups north with 4, 8, 8, 3, and 2 spots, and 2 groups south with 9, and 6 spots. 40 spots in total all counted from following to preceding. quite a few groups of mostly small spots spread across the disc, maybe a chance of aurorae if any of them flare. Best wishes, Bob

[RMSteele]

2023 Oct 14 at 1005 UT, seeing and transparency fair, New Farnley, Leeds UK. Equipment: as above. 7 spot groups consisting of 5 spot groups north with 2, 5, 3, 5, and 2 spots, and 2 groups south with 6, and 3 spots. 26 spots in total all counted from following to preceding. Best wishes, Bob

[RMSteele]

2023 Oct 15 at 1005 UT, seeing a bit unsteady and transparency fair, New Farnley, Leeds UK. Equipment: as above. 6 spot groups consisting of 5 spot groups north with 5, 7, 4, 5, and 2 spots, and 1 group south with 3 spots. 26 spots in total all counted from following to preceding. Mostly small spots; I wonder if there is going to be a spike in activity soon. Best wishes, Bob

[jeff.stevens]

2023 Oct 15 at 13h54mUT - 66mm WO refractor with Baader filter.

Transparency quite poor by the time I managed to observe. However, very pleasant to see, and lovely to feel a bit of warmth in the afternoon sun.

Best wishes, Jeff.