sun explodes!

[nytecam]

Well almost! - Pic of giant 'flames' on edge of sun yesterday morning via my 40mm Coronado PST through double glazing from indoors - well why go outside when you don't have too These flames, seen in red hydrogen light, are much bigger than earth which is <1/100th the diameter of the sun

The light areas on the disk are 'active areas' around sunspots!

[htcdude]

Great shot nytecam! Should we be worried about our sun exploding then?

Nige

[davedotcom]

Cracking shot there nytecam.

I was always under the impression that astronomy indoors and through double glazing was a bad idea due to glare, heat etc.

Is this an exceptional 'type' of gazing that isn't affected by this?

[nytecam]

Nige - you're quite safe - just a little hype that the forum enjoys

Originally Posted by davedotcom

Cracking shot there nytecam.

I was always under the impression that astronomy indoors and through double glazing was a bad idea due to glare, heat etc.Is this an exceptional 'type' of gazing that isn't affected by this?

Modern float glass, as used is some double glazing, is very good but not optically perfect - the image via binos is good to excellent and likewise with smallish telescopes IF viewed directly through the glass and not at an acute angle The moon is a very tolerant target viewed through glass

ps: nearly forgot - don't view through an open window - heat transfer ruins the view!!

[fairplay]

Originally Posted by htcdude

Great shot nytecam! Should we be worried about our sun exploding then?

Nige

It would need something like a fire to set it off ... oops !

Neil.

[nytecam]

More giant prominences on the sun's west limb this morning - the earth is ~1% the diam of sun and shown to scale as a blue dot

[htcdude]

I take it these prominences aren't powerful enough to have an affect on the earth, if say this prominence pointed directly towards earth?

Nige

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by htcdude

Should we be worried about our sun exploding then?

If you choose to believe in a continuous cycle of reincarnation, then you'll need to worry about the sun exploding eventually, but it's probably a bit premature to worry at the moment!

Originally Posted by htcdude

I take it these prominences aren't powerful enough to have an affect on the earth, if say this prominence pointed directly towards earth?

Solar flares can apparently temporarily affect the Earths magnetic field, and can potentially disrupt electricity supply and computers - but there don't appear to be any major effects (unless nytecam knows otherwise!).

[htcdude]

Thanks for that Roy, we're safe for now then

Nige

[artdemole]

NASA States Solar Flares are Not powerful enough to Physically deystroy Earth...Any one over 11 years old has lived through Solar Maximums...