Solar Obs. Report
By Russell Chmela

Took a look yesterday in the H-alpha, and viewed the following:

There were 8 prominences seen, small humps and grass at 2,5, 11 and 8 o,clock positions. A set of side by side fountains at 9 and a flattened hook shape at 6. The Best single feature was a big remnant of an explosive event at 4 o'clock. This feature was a sheet of shredded curtains still attached to the limb at three small arms. There were dozens of gaps and streamers in the sheet, and one of the three arms had a twisted appearance. There were 3 major spot groups, all complex ones. The first was near the LH limb and had some 30 individuals in it, including 3 short stripes. The second group was above the first and was 4+ spots in a very shaded penumbra. The last was near the other edge and was a thin chain of small spots with some bright swirls near them. There were very little projections seen against the disk but this may be in part due to the seeing, which was average at the best, and very fast at times. The air temperature was 92 degrees at the observing location and it was hot, next session will require the sombrero, and spray bottle.

Instrument was 80mm f11, and magnifications were 20, 45 and 60x Conditions were clear with slight (too) breeze. It took some 40 minutes for the filter to work right, since the air was so warm and the filter had come from a cool room. I therefore took it off, and laid it on a tray table in the sunlight for 10 min. and let it heat up. after placing back into the scope, the tuning worked better and the seeing seemed less troublesome. So , the moral is: preheat before cooking!