Daily Sun: April 2, 2025 (4/2/25) #PinoAstro

Solar observation of the sun today, Wednesday, April 2, 2025 (4/2/25, 02 APR 2025, 2025/04/02).

Original images courtesy of NSO GONG in H-alpha. Pino Astro image edit and video production.

This work utilizes GONG data obtained by the NSO Integrated Synoptic Program, managed by the National Solar Observatory, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), Inc. under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation and with contribution from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The GONG network of instruments is hosted by the Big Bear Solar Observatory, High Altitude Observatory, Learmonth Solar Observatory, Udaipur Solar Observatory, Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, and Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observato

Sunspot Clusters are also known as or called Active Regions.

Area of sunspots are measured in millionths of a solar hemisphere (MH).

For updates on today's Sun flares, visit:

Flare strength is rated on a scale that includes C-class, M-class, X-class and Proton-class flares.

What are Sunspots?- Sunspots arise from magnetic disturbances that change how the outer layers of the sun regionally mix, uncovering cooler spots that appear darker on the surface of the sun.

What's the point?- Sunspots and sunspot clusters are part of solar active regions (AR). We track active regions on the sun because they can cause solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CME). Particles ejected from CMEs can hit the Earth several hours later (as soon as 15 hours or up to several days later) and cause aurora, and large solar storms can do damage to electronics, our electrical grid and satellites. Plus, sunspots look cool, and they are huge! Some can be several times the size of Earth.

Why should I care?- The Carrington Event was the most intense geomagnetic storm in recorded history, peaking on 1–2 September 1859 during solar cycle 10. It created strong auroral displays that were reported globally and caused sparking and even fires in telegraph stations. A geomagnetic storm of this magnitude occurring today has the potential to cause widespread electrical disruptions, blackouts, damage and impact human health due to extended cuts of the electrical power grid. A Carrington-class event today would result in between $0.6 and $2.6 trillion in damages to the U.S. alone.

Sun Observation- I try to post daily updates relatively early in the day so that others that have interest can see what's going on. I have heard from some other solar astronomers that they appreciate these short videos to see whether or not it's worth getting out their Hydrogen-alpha (H-alpha, Ha) solar telescopes, and it also gives them a preview of the sunspots and active regions.

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[PinoAstro]

What are we looking for?: Prominences, filaments, and sunspots. Sunspots are associated with active regions, and those can produce solar flares!

Sunspots appear as black dots.

Active regions are the really bright areas.

Solar flares appear as flashes.

Filaments are tubes of plasma that appear as dark strings against the bright backdrop of the sun.

Prominences are bright, tube-like structures of plasma raised off the surface of the Sun that can be observed against the darkness of space (may not always be easily observed in these videos).

Videos are from the National Solar Observatory (NSO)/GONG, and shot in Hydrogen-alpha (H-alpha or Ha, 656nm). This is a visible wavelength in the red spectrum, which an excited form of hydrogen emits. It's a great way to visualize details on the surface of the sun.

[mariannerousseau]

Was there a flare? What hit the camera at the end there?