A few days ago I looked at the solar imagery from the spacecraft and ground observatories and feared that our Sun would be completely spotless for next week’s solar eclipse. The one sunspot visible had just rotated out of view, not to return until well after the eclipse. There were no other sunspots apparent.
SOHO sunspots on Aug 15, 2017 showing the newly formed AR2671Our Sun has served up a very nice surprise. A complex and energetic sunspot group has formed. Better yet it will be just about mid-disk when the Moon arrives.
Sunspot group AR2671 formed on the eastern limb of the Sun over the last couple days. It has even produced a few c-class solar flares to show it has some vigor.
Better yet… This sunspot group will be a boon to eclipse photographers across the US. The pattern of dark spots will make the difficult task of focusing a telescope on the Sun far easier. These spots will provide a focus target to untold telescopes.
The only question now is will the group last for five more days? Will is grow or shrink.
What will the Sun look like when eclipse day arrives on August 21st?
Very quiet!
The Sun as it appeared August 10, 2017 with sunspot AR2670There is only one major sunspot group visible at the moment. The large spot AR2670 has been visible for a couple weeks now, crossing the face of the Sun since the beginning of the month.
I observed this spot several times while training some folks at the observatory to use a solar setup and while testing my eclipse telescope.
AR2670 is now disappearing from sight as it rotates over the limb, maybe it will be back in another couple weeks for a third appearance.
Checking the SOHO image archive and the GONG farside maps shows there is nothing else, no significant solar activity that will appear before the total eclipse in eight days. Nothing hiding on the farside to rotate into sight.
There is a slim chance of something new developing over the next week. However, we are approaching solar minimum, a quiet Sun is to be expected. Indeed, I expect we will have an almost featureless solar disk on eclipse day.
Update 14 Aug 2017: With one week to go a new spot has appeared! I do not see that is has an AR designation yet, but this new spot should be in the middle of the Sun on eclipse day if it lasts for the week. It may not be big or pretty, but it will at least give everyone something to focus cameras on in preparation for the main event.
Update 15 Aug 2017: The new sunspot has been designated AR2671 and has already produced some C class flares. Looks like has the energy to develop a bit more. At least one small sunspot for the eclipse?
For this solar eclipse I will be in the middle of central Oregon, a long way from any stores, much less an astronomy equipment store. I will have to have everything I need on-hand, nothing forgotten, nothing overlooked.
A checklist is certainly in order!
The checklist below was compiled as much for myself as anyone who might read this posting. Actually writing the checklist out is quite useful as a personal double check. I need to consider that we will be camping for several days prior to the eclipse, that time will be spent hiking, stargazing, or simply relaxing in the forest with family.
As I gazed up at a nearly full Moon this evening I realized that the countdown is quite short now. When that Moon is new again it will pass in front of the Sun to create a total solar eclipse.
The Moon one day short of full.This will be my first total solar eclipse in nearly four decades. Not since 1979 have I witnessed a total eclipse. Over those decades I have seen many partial eclipses, quite a few lunar eclipses, a few transits of Mercury, and one transit of Venus.
I have been anticipating and planning this trip for many years. It was after the transit of Venus in 2012 that I really turned my attention to the next major astro-event. Laying out plans to camp somewhere in Eastern Oregon where the viewing is likely to be excellent.
Moonset would not be until nearly 11pm, otherwise the weather looked quite promising for a night on the mauna. The plan… A late arrival and setup at the substation site across the street from the Mauna Kea VIS
Arriving late would mean most of the evening crowd at the visitor station would be gone, taking their headlights with them, hopefully leaving a dark and quiet night to enjoy. This early summer season places the center of the Milky Way high overhead for much of the night for excellent observing possibilities.
Deep Violet set up under Mauna Kea skies waiting for moonset and full darknessSometimes things work out exactly as planned.
Meeting me on the mountain would be David Kriege, owner of Obsession Telescopes. This trip marked his first opportunity for Hawaiian observing and to take advantage of that he brought along a 22″ ultra-compact model. Along with David came Mike, he brought a camera in place of a telescope, not a bad choice with the Milky Way high overhead all night.
Tony shows a group of enthusiastic student views with his 12.5″ dob.
The author waiting for dark at the 2005 All Arizona Messier Marathon with my usual visual setup including Deep Violet
Maureen sharing her telescope with guests at Keck’s Evening with Astronomers
Observing from the Mauna Loa research station, the trace of red lights in 116 x 20sec exposures, the AMiBA telescope is in the background
A telescope set up on the grounds of the Mauna Kea resort awaiting dark skies
The observing table during visual observing, all the necessities… charts, guides, binoculars, observing notebook and something to drink.
Local amateur astronomers set up their own telescopes behind the main building at Lick Observatory
A line of big ‘scopes to greet a huge Saturday crowd at the MKVIS
The restored 20″ Obsession telescope set up at Hale Pohaku on the side of Mauna Kea
The 20″ Obsession telescope awaiting full dark at Kaʻohe, on the side of Mauna Kea
Almost all of the big dobsonian telescopes to be found on Hawai’i show up at the VIS for the night.
Cliff sets up his 24″ scope on the next target.
Ken and Ann Jones oberving with their 18″ at Oregon Star Party 2013
The telescopes are nearly ready, now to wait for dark!
Telescopes at Oregon Star Party 2013
My 18″ telescope Deep violet set up under the stars at the MKVIS.
Everyone at the VIS was enjoying the night!
The NexStar 11″, the TV76mm and a Canon 60D setup for astrophotography at the MKVIS
The telescope line at Sentinel for the 2005 Sentinel-Schwaar Star Gaze
Visitors enjoy telescopes under the star at the Mauna Kea VIS
Maureen setting up for some public observing to support Keck’s Evening with Astronomers
Chris Fuld collimating his 40.5 inch dobsonian
Debbie Goodwin gazes at Saturn through a C-14 at an evening star party in Waikoloa
A family enjoys a view of the Sun in the telescope
Bright sunset colors silhouette a telescope at Oregon Star Party 2013
Green lasers in use at the Mauna Kea VIS nightly observing with the Milky Way high overhead
Tony’s 14″ dob with a long line of folks waiting to view
The observing field at the Farnsworth Ranch, with the Silverbell Mountains in the background and Kitt Peak just visible at far right. The field is unusually green after heavy spring rains. The clouds are rapidly departing to the east.
A princess looking through the telescope while we were set up at the King’s Shops
The 11″ NexStar GPS telescope, GyPSy set up at Ka’Ohe
The 20″ Obsession telescope being set up at Kaʻohe, on the side of Mauna Kea
Deb pointing out the star βPhoenicis to VIS volunteer Joe McDonough
Steve Dillinger’s 20″ Dob awaiting full dark at Sentinel, AZ with Venus and the Moon shining behind
A trio of telescopes set up for astrophtography at the Mauna Kea VIS
A group of local school students with the 20″ telescope
A camper and telescope set up under a starry sky
A trio of telescopes awaiting darkness at Oregon Star Party
Visitors enjoy great views of an active Sun at the 2012 Waimea Planet Walk
Olivier beside his new telescope, a 12″ Orion Dobsonian
A dark night under the stars! It has been too long… Why not?
The 20″ Obsession telescope awaiting full dark at Kaʻohe, on the side of Mauna Kea
After all the work restoring the 20″ Obsession it was time to get it out under the stars for a decent observing run. During the many hours of work I had looked forward to simply using this telescope for a bit. While it would eventually be stored at the observatory and used for outreach, it seemed a shame not to spend a night or two under the stars with this instrument. Not like I need a 20″ telescope, my 18″ is just fine, but I loaded it up just the same, leaving Deep Violet in the garage.
The 20″ Obsession telescope being set up at Kaʻohe, on the side of Mauna Kea
My favorite close by site is KaʻOhe, taking only a twenty minute drive from home to reach. At 5,700 feet on the side of Mauna Kea nearby home does not mean second rate. I really like this spot, the view is spectacular with the coastline below and the Mauna Loa and Hualālai volcanoes dominating the horizon. The entire southern horizon is unobstructed, allowing observations of southern objects right down to the horizon.
Better yet, recent rains meant green grass and a spot near the road maintenance gravel pile was hard packed rock, no dust! The area had even been mown recently! I sometimes have a few uncharitable words to describe DLNR, but not this evening.
