See Our ‘Fuzzy’ Sun Like Never Before: Stunning Photos by Astrophotographer Mark Johnston

Key Takeaways

Astrophotographer Mark Johnston captured highly detailed images of the sun from his backyard in Scottsdale, Arizona. The sun is currently approaching solar maximum, leading to increased solar activity. Johnston’s images showcase various solar phenomena including sunspots, solar prominences, filaments, and spicules. Advanced astrophotography techniques were used to capture and enhance these stunning images.

Summary

• Mark Johnston, an astrophotographer based in Scottsdale, Arizona, captured stunning images of the sun.
• The sun is nearing solar maximum, resulting in heightened solar activity.
• Johnston’s photographs reveal detailed solar features such as:
  • Sunspots
  • Solar prominences
  • Filaments
  • Spicules
• The images were taken with a 160mm hydrogen alpha-modified refractor telescope and a high-speed monochrome camera.
• Advanced post-production techniques were applied to enhance the images.
• Johnston’s work emphasizes the ever-changing and dynamic nature of the sun.
• Solar prominences are arches of plasma that extend from the sun’s surface.
• Sunspots are darker, cooler areas on the sun’s surface.
• Filaments are arcs of plasma that can lift off from the sun.
• Spicules are small, feathery jets of solar material that give the sun a ‘fuzzy’ appearance.

 

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The Dynamic Nature of the Sun

Astrophotographer Mark Johnston has taken some of the most detailed and stunning images of the sun from his backyard in Scottsdale, Arizona. The sun is approaching the solar maximum. This is the peak of solar activity during the sun’s roughly 11-year cycle. The sun has been very active during this time. Large sunspots have formed. Powerful solar flares have been released. Massive coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have also occurred. CMEs are huge bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields. These events have triggered impressive aurora displays.

Johnston’s interest in the sun is driven by its ever-changing nature. “I like imaging the sun because it’s the only object in astronomy that is different every time you look at it,” This variability makes the sun a fascinating subject for astrophotographers, as one can never predict exactly what they will observe on any given day.

Capturing the Sun’s Chromosphere

On July 2, Johnston captured a series of images that showcase the sun’s chromosphere in remarkable detail. The chromosphere is the second of the three main layers in the sun’s atmosphere and lies above the photosphere and below the corona. In these images, one can see solar prominences, sunspots, filaments, and spicules, all of which contribute to the dynamic and intricate appearance of the sun.

Image One: Sunspots and Filaments

In the first close-up image, you can see a pair of sunspots. Next to them are glowing arcs of plasma called filaments. These filaments have lifted off from the surface. Sunspots are dark and cool regions on the sun’s surface. They look darker because they are cooler than other areas. Intense magnetic activity causes them. This magnetic activity stops the movement of heat, making these spots cooler. Filaments are arcs of hot gas, or plasma. They float above the sun’s surface thanks to magnetic fields. When you look at them against the bright sun, they look like dark lines.

“The large dark square ‘canopy’ of plasma at the bottom right of center is large enough to cover 25 Earths,” Johnston explained. This canopy is a striking feature, highlighting the vast scale of solar phenomena.

Image Two: Solar Prominences and Spicules

The second image reveals a line of solar prominences that appear to march across the sun’s surface. Solar prominences are large, bright features that extend outward from the sun’s surface. They are anchored to the photosphere and extend into the corona. When viewed against the solar disk, they are referred to as filaments. These prominences are composed of plasma, a hot gas made up of electrically charged hydrogen and helium.

“On the surface, small feathery spicules come and go in only a few minutes,” Johnston noted. Spicules are small, jet-like features that give the solar surface a ‘fuzzy’ appearance. They can reach lengths of 6,000 miles (9,600 kilometers) and erupt at speeds of up to 60 miles (96 kilometers) per second. Despite their short lifespans, spicules are incredibly abundant, covering the solar surface in a grass-like pattern.

Image Three: A Massive Solar Prominence

In Johnston’s third image, a huge solar prominence arches across the sun. This prominence is anchored to the sun’s photosphere and extends out into the corona. The looping material seen in the image is plasma, a hot gas composed of electrically charged hydrogen and helium. These prominences can last for several weeks or even months, changing and evolving over time.

“On the right, millions of tons of plasma have detached from the Sun and float above the surface,” Johnston pointed out. This detachment is a common occurrence and can lead to the formation of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are massive bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields rising above the solar corona or being released into space.

Techniques and Equipment Used

Johnston used a 160mm hydrogen alpha-modified refractor telescope to capture these stunning images. Hydrogen alpha telescopes are designed to observe the sun in a specific wavelength of light emitted by hydrogen atoms. This allows for detailed views of the sun’s chromosphere and the various features found there.

In addition to the telescope, Johnston used a high-speed monochrome camera to capture 2000 10-millisecond frames for each image. In post-production, the best 200 frames from each scene were stacked to create a single, high-resolution image. This stacking process helps to reduce noise and enhance detail. Further enhancements and sharpening techniques were then applied to bring out the intricate features of the sun.

Johnston’s work demonstrates the power of combining advanced equipment with meticulous post-processing techniques to capture the dynamic and ever-changing nature of our closest star.

The Sun’s Increasing Activity

As we approach solar maximum, the sun’s activity is expected to continue increasing. Solar maximum is the period of greatest solar activity in the sun’s 11-year cycle. During this time, the number of sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) increases. This heightened activity can have significant effects on space weather, potentially impacting satellite operations, communications, and power grids on Earth.

Table 1: Solar Phenomena and Their Characteristics

Phenomenon	Description	Impact
Sunspots	Dark, cooler areas on the sun’s surface caused by intense magnetic activity.	Can lead to solar flares and CMEs.
Solar Prominences	Large, bright features that extend outward from the sun’s surface, composed of plasma.	Can erupt and release plasma into space.
Filaments	Arcs of plasma suspended above the sun’s surface by magnetic fields.	Appear as dark lines against the solar disk.
Spicules	Small, jet-like features that give the solar surface a ‘fuzzy’ appearance.	Short-lived but abundant.
Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)	Massive bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields released into space.	Can impact Earth’s magnetosphere.

Table 2: Effects of Solar Activity on Earth

Effect	Description	Consequences
Aurora Displays	Natural light displays in the sky caused by the interaction of solar wind with Earth’s magnetosphere.	Spectacular visual phenomena.
Satellite Operations	Solar activity can disrupt satellite communications and navigation systems.	Potential for signal loss and errors.
Power Grids	Geomagnetic storms induced by solar activity can impact power grids, causing voltage instability.	Risk of power outages.
Radio Communications	Solar flares can cause radio signal degradation or blackout in the high-frequency range.	Disruption of communication systems.

Mark Johnston’s Contributions

Mark Johnston is not only an accomplished astrophotographer but also a NASA Solar System Ambassador and Vice President of the Phoenix Astronomical Society. His work in astrophotography has contributed significantly to the public’s understanding and appreciation of solar phenomena. By capturing and sharing these stunning images, Johnston helps to bring the dynamic nature of the sun into focus for both the scientific community and the general public.

You can find more of Johnston’s work on social media @azastroguy, where he regularly shares his latest astrophotography projects and insights into the fascinating world of astronomy.

Conclusion

Astrophotographer Mark Johnston’s images of the sun provide a captivating glimpse into the ever-changing and dynamic nature of our closest star. As we approach solar maximum, the sun’s activity continues to increase, leading to the formation of sunspots, solar prominences, filaments, and spicules. These phenomena, captured in stunning detail by Johnston, highlight the intricate and turbulent beauty of the sun.

Johnston’s use of advanced astrophotography techniques and equipment has allowed him to capture the sun in unprecedented detail. His work not only contributes to the scientific understanding of solar activity but also inspires awe and appreciation for the complex and dynamic nature of the sun.

As Johnston himself stated, “The richness in detail is fascinating: solar prominences, active regions, sunspots, filament and spicules all change from day to day.” This ever-changing nature makes the sun a captivating subject for astrophotographers and a reminder of the dynamic and powerful forces at work in our universe.

References:

• NASA. Solar prominences.  www.nasa.gov/sun
• Space.com. (2024). Astrophotographer captures stunning images of the sun.  www.space.com/sun-images-mark-johnston
• Phoenix Astronomical Society. Meet our members.  www.phxastro.org/members

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#Astrophotography, #SolarActivity, #Sunspots, #SolarProminences, #Filaments, #Spicules, #NASA, #SolarMaximum