Glimpsing the Sun's Fiery Prominences: A Cloudy Day Triumph
Even when the skies aren't perfectly clear, the allure of capturing our closest star is undeniable. This past August 17th, 2025, despite the persistent challenge of cloud cover, a dedicated astrophotographer managed to seize a few precious moments to image the Sun and its incredible activity.
The star of the show was a magnificent, tornado-looking prominence extending outwards from the Sun's surface. These colossal eruptions of plasma, guided by magnetic fields, are some of the most dramatic displays in our solar system. To witness and capture such an event, even through breaks in the clouds, is a testament to the power and beauty of the Sun.
While the clouds may have obscured finer details, the resulting images offer a compelling glimpse into the dynamic nature of our star. It's a powerful reminder of our place in the cosmos – we are, indeed, "so teensy" in comparison to the colossal forces at play in our solar neighborhood.
The Gear Behind the Capture:
- Telescope: Lunt 60MT
- Camera: ZWO 174mm
- Autofocus: ZWO EAF
- Barlow: Televue Powermate 2.5x
- Control System: AsiAir Plus
- Mount: HEQ5 Pro Mount
- Solar Filter: Daystar Flat Cap
- Capture Software: FireCapture
- Stacking Software: AutoStakkert!3, IMPPG
- Processing Software: Pixinsight (SolarToolbox)
Capture Settings:
- Gain: 40
- Exposure: 7ms
- Processing: 30-second capture, best 5% stacked.
This capture, despite its challenges, highlights the dedication and skill involved in solar astrophotography. It's a beautiful reminder of the wonders that await our observation, no matter the atmospheric conditions.
