H-alpha solar images

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OBSERVED IMAGE ARCHIVES
		H-α Solar Images

Last updated on Apr 26, 2024

This section shows you the solar images taken with the CORONADO 40mm Hα solar telescope since Apr 2007. We can observe continuously various interesting phenomena in solar chromosphere like Plages (active regions), Flares, Dark filaments, and Prominences at the rim, and so on.
Those images are rather observed data than works for appreciation, I've excluded detailed description in individual images.

Latest image (Apr 26, 2024) You can jump to page of magnified image by clicking on thumbnail below.

You can jump to each page of solar image by clicking on linked date.

Database for sunspot number & solar active regions

You can search & browse solar images since May 2007 from observation dates and active region numbers

2023		Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions
2022	Calendar format	Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions
2021	Calendar format	Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions
2020	Calendar format	Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions
2019	Calendar format	Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions
2018	Calendar format	Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions
2017	Calendar format	Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions
2016	Calendar format	Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions
2015	Calendar format	Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions
2014	Calendar format	Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions
2013	Calendar format	Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions
2012	Calendar format	Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions
2011	Calendar format	Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions
2010	Calendar format	Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions
2009	Calendar format	Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions
2008	Calendar format	Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions
2007	Calendar format	Obs. log for Wolf Sunspot Number	List of Solar Active Regions


Aggregate results of Wolf numbers (2007 - 2023)


Aggregate results of Active Region distribution (2007 - 2023)

Legend of images

Individual solar images are erected, displayed by turning celestial north direction upward.
The solar parameters of polar angle (P), central solar latitude (B₀) and longitude (L₀) are displayed in upper left hand side of individual images.
1. Polar angle (P)... The tilt-angle of solar axis from the celestial north direction. The values have plus when the axis leans to the left and minus in right.
2. Central latitude (B₀)... This value indicates the tilt-angle of solar axis in radial direction. The values have plus when solar northern hemisphere looks more area than southern region, and have minus in opposite case.
3. Central longitude (L₀)... This value represents solar longitude at the central meridian line. L₀ value decreases about 13.2 degrees per day and returns at same value every 27.3 days.
You can switch individual images between with and without longitude and latitude lines with 10 degrees in interval by clicking on a button at upper right-hand side. The longitude lines are relative to central meridian line (=L₀).
I have described positions of active regions and/or sunspots like "N10-E20". This means that the latitude is north 10 degrees and the longitude is 20 degrees east (left-hand side) from central meridian line.
I have identified each active region on solar surface by using of the active region number assigned by NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration).
The contrast of prominences depends strongly on transparency condition of sky. The change of clearness of it does not reflect the change of solar activity.
Major phenomena on solar chromosphere and their features:
- Plages ... Active regions looks bright area, can be observed mainly around sunspot groups.
- Flares ... The transient explosion phenomenon on solar surface, observed as a white and very bright area.
- Prominences ... The flame-like structure seen at the solar rim. It has various shapes along solar magnetic field.
- Dark filaments ... Same with the prominences, can be observed with the chromosphere surface for a background.

Photographing Equipments

Hα images
COLONADO SolarMax 40 Telescope (D=40mm, f=400mm, F10.0)

Afocal method with OLYMPUS C-5060WZ digital still camera & CEMAX 25mm eyepiece (Apr 2007)
(focal length of camera: 22.9mm, Stop: F4.8, ISO100, B/W mode)
Synthesized focal length: f=366mm (equivalent f=1760mm in 35mm film-format)

Afocal method with OLYMPUS C-2020Z digital still camera & CEMAX 25mm eyepiece (since May 3, 2007 to Jun 28)
(focal length of camera: 19.1mm, Stop: F2.8, ISO100, B/W mode)
Synthesized focal length: f=306mm (equivalent f=1698mm in 35mm film-format)

Afocal method with OLYMPUS C-3030Z digital still camera & LV20mm eyepiece (since Jun 30, 2007 to Sep 18, 2013)
(focal length of camera: 19.5mm, Stop: F2.8, ISO100, B/W mode)
Synthesized focal length: f=390mm (equivalent f=1920mm in 35mm film-format)
Standard EX: surface..1/125sec., prominences..1/20 sec., composed 8 & 4shots respectively, stacked with Photoshop.

Prime focus with CELESTRON Skyris 445C movie camera (since Sep 19, 2013 to Oct 6, 2020)
Standard exposure: 1/80sec., 15fps, record time: 6sec., Stacked & wavelet processed with Registax6

Prime focus with ZWO ASI183MC CMOS camera (since Oct 11, 2020)
Standard exposure: 1/200sec., 30fps, record time: 2sec., Stacked & wavelet processed with Registax6
White-light images
(since May 2007 to May 2010)
PENTAX 75EDHF (D=75mm, f=500mm, F6.7) and VIXEN LV 25mm eyepiece
with Baader-Planetarium Astro Solar Filter + Kenko PO1 filter
Afocal method with OLYMPUS C-5060WZ digital still camera
(focal length of camera: 22.9mm, stop: F4.8, ISO100)
Synthesized focal length: f=458mm (equivalent f=2180mm in 35mm film-format)
Standard EX: 1/250 sec., composed 4 shots

(since Jun 2010)
BORG 45ED II (D=45mm, f=325mm, F7.2) and Televue Nagler type5 16mm eyepiece
with Baader-Planetarium Astro Solar Filter
Afocal method with OLYMPUS C-5060WZ digital still camera
(focal length of camera: 22.9mm, stop: F4.8, ISO100)
Synthesized focal length: f=465mm (equivalent f=2210mm in 35mm film-format)
Standard EX: 1/250 sec., composed 4 shots

(since Sep 28, 2013 to Oct 2, 2020)
BORG 60ED (D=60mm, f=350mm, F5.8), prime focus with CELESTRON Skyris 445C movie camera
with Baader-Planetarium Astro Solar Filter & Contrast Booster
Standard exposure: 1/500sec., 15fps, record time: 6sec., Stacked & wavelet processed with Registax6

(since Oct 11, 2020)
BORG 60ED (D=60mm, f=350mm, F5.8), prime focus with ZWO ASI183MC CMOS camera
with Baader-Planetarium Astro Solar Filter & Contrast Booster
Standard exposure: 1/2000sec., 30fps, record time: 2sec., Stacked & wavelet processed with Registax6

* Exposure time is controlled depend on weather condition
* Location: Kokubunji city, Tokyo (since Apr 2007 to Mar 2010), Hitachi city, Ibaraki pref. (since Apr 2010)

Warning: When using a telescope for observing or photographing the sun, lacking knowledge of proper solar filtering methods can pose risks of visual impairment or blindness.
I do not assume any responsibility for any accidents that may occur as a result of observing or photographing the sun through this site.