If a coronal ejection like this happened during a total eclipse ....

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter swampwiz
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Eclipse
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

During a total solar eclipse, solar prominences can be observed, but visibility is limited without specialized equipment. Observers using a hydrogen alpha solar scope, such as the LUNT LS60 THa, can see these features clearly due to its narrowband H-alpha filter. Standard binoculars, like 12X models, will not provide adequate visibility of solar phenomena. The discussion emphasizes the importance of using proper solar viewing equipment to safely observe solar events.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of solar phenomena, specifically solar prominences
  • Knowledge of hydrogen alpha solar scopes, such as the LUNT LS60 THa
  • Familiarity with solar viewing safety practices
  • Basic knowledge of light wavelengths and their visibility
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the capabilities and features of hydrogen alpha solar scopes
  • Learn about solar observation techniques during eclipses
  • Explore the differences between visible light and ionized helium emissions
  • Investigate the costs and specifications of solar telescopes like the Coronado SolarMax 70
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy enthusiasts, solar observers, and anyone interested in safely viewing solar phenomena during eclipses will benefit from this discussion.

Astronomy news on Phys.org
Yes - even without the binoculars. And if they didn't observe it correctly, it could be the last thing they see.
Better to project it through a 1" hole in a cardboard light block with a lens covering the hole and then onto a white screen. Then watch the screen.

Also note that the video in that article is time-lapsed - many times faster than it actually appeared.
 
  • Skeptical
Likes   Reactions: davenn
swampwiz said:
would spectators be able to see it? How about with 12X binoculars?

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/15/science/sun-solar-cycle.html

You are not likely to see much of it in visible light wavelengths
Prominences can sometimes be seen during total eclipses

from one of my eclipse photos, 4 small proms just visible

IMGP0761asm.jpg


The image you linked to is ionised helium, He II

Much/most of it is easily visible if you have a hydrogen alpha solar scope like my
LUNT LS60 THa. It has a very narrowband H-alpha filter in it < 1 Angstrom specifically
to observe prominences

IMG_1093sm.jpg


from that scope...

1600748248974.png
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Klystron, Quarkman1 and phinds
.Scott said:
Yes - even without the binoculars.

with extreme difficulty, pretty near impossible
if it was easy without specialist scopes, everyone wouldn't be spending $1000's on the solar scopes
 
Last edited:
The brightest part of the prominence shown in the link is about 1/3 the solar diameter.
(The entire prominence is well more than that and extends beyond the frame).
 
.Scott said:
The brightest part of the prominence shown in the link is about 1/3 the solar diameter.
(The entire prominence is well more than that and extends beyond the frame).
and ... ?

what is your point ? :smile:
 
davenn said:
what is your point ? :smile:
Based on your post #3 above, some portion of a prominence can be visible.
So the issue is whether the size of the visible portion of the prominence in the video would be large enough to see during a total eclipse. There is a very meaty portion of that particular prominence that extends plenty far enough to be large enough to see.

How much of it would you expect is radiant in the visible spectrum?
 
davenn said:
You are not likely to see much of it in visible light wavelengths
Prominences can sometimes be seen during total eclipses

from one of my eclipse photos, 4 small proms just visible

View attachment 269868

The image you linked to is ionised helium, He II

Much/most of it is easily visible if you have a hydrogen alpha solar scope like my
LUNT LS60 THa. It has a very narrowband H-alpha filter in it < 1 Angstrom specifically
to observe prominences

View attachment 269867

from that scope...

View attachment 269869
How much does a rig like yours cost these days?
 
I have the Coronado "Sol Ranger" -- has anyone used that? I got it a while ago. It's a nice scope but I haven't used it a lot. I remember going to Maine and there were some amateurs who let me look look through their scope. The Sun was amazing! Nice pics!
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: davenn
  • #10
Quarkman1 said:
I have the Coronado "Sol Ranger"

one of these ?

1600814639825.png


if so, that's just a finder scope to align the sun for viewing through the main scope, like this ...
The Coronado SolarMax 70 Telescope

1600814811598.png

Maybe you mis stated what you have ?cheers
Dave
 
  • #11
swampwiz said:
How much does a rig like yours cost these days?

The telescope with a B1200 blocking filter is AU$2500 (~ US$1800).
That tripod and mount (also used for several of my other scopes) is another ~ AU$1900 (~ US$1400)

Dave
 
  • #12
davenn said:
one of these ?
if so, that's just a finder scope to align the sun for viewing through the main scope, like this ...
The Coronado SolarMax 70 TelescopeMaybe you mis stated what you have ?cheers
Dave
Sorry Dave, yes that is the finder scope attached to the Coronado (I wasn't 100% sure if the whole kit was called that). I got the whole assembly from OPT many years ago because I wanted to be able to sun-gaze safely ! I looked on the body of the scope but I didn't see a reference to the model, but mine looks very similar to the pictures you posted.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: davenn

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K