19 March 2011 Huge Prominence Observations
The last few months, the Sun seems to fo full speed for a great maximum of solar activity in the next years. The interesting thing about all this, is how sudden the wakening of the Sun is. In March 19th 2011 a huge prominence apeared in the SW limb of the disk, the prominence was an erruptive one that has expanded in almost 1/2 solar radii in only 40 minutes. In this article we discuss about the huge prominence observations by "EOA"
Above, you can see 3 images of the prominence (beggining - middle - ending) in a 30 minutes interval.
Elizabeth Observatory of Athens was observing during the prominence erruption and was able to record more than 90 images from 11:16 U.T. to 12:15 U.T. Those images were taken with a P.S.T. Hα΄ telescope and a DMK 21AU04AS camera with a 2.5x TV Powermate barlow. This Setup gave us the ideal FOV to observe the prominence the hole time. The phisical elements of the observations are:
Telescope: 40/400 (f/10) Refractor
Filter: 0.65A Hα΄ Filter (656.23nm)
Barlow: 2.5x TV Powermate
Camera: DMK 21au04as
FOV: 12.32 x 9.24 arc.minutes
Resolution: 1.16" arc.sec. per pixel
Athens - Prominence distance: 148.909.849,2km
Images recorded: 96
Total Time of Observation: 59 minutes
Telescope: 40/400 (f/10) Refractor
Filter: 0.65A Hα΄ Filter (656.23nm)
Barlow: 2.5x TV Powermate
Camera: DMK 21au04as
FOV: 12.32 x 9.24 arc.minutes
Resolution: 1.16" arc.sec. per pixel
Athens - Prominence distance: 148.909.849,2km
Images recorded: 96
Total Time of Observation: 59 minutes
Data Processing
A)Prominence dimensions.
Measuring the real dimensions of the Prominence was done using a spreadsheet calculator provided by Avgouli Orsoula. For meauring the dimensions of the prominence we used the "Image J" freeware for schientific image procesing.
As seen in the left picture we measured all the aspects of this prominence in each picture. Those measurements can be seen in the next table (Table:01)
As seen in the left picture we measured all the aspects of this prominence in each picture. Those measurements can be seen in the next table (Table:01)
Table: 01
Some of the measurements done in the data
Some of the measurements done in the data
Some of the measurements of the "Width" and "Hight" of the prominence in pixels on our CCD images. The interesting on this graphis the expantion rythm of the prominence hight.
Taking a close look we can see that the prominence has two different expantion rates, the first one can be seen in the timeline of 11:39U.T to 11:54 U.T. wich is almost linear. In adition to this we have the second expantion rate from 11:56U.T. to the end of the observing time at 12:16U.T.
Taking a close look we can see that the prominence has two different expantion rates, the first one can be seen in the timeline of 11:39U.T to 11:54 U.T. wich is almost linear. In adition to this we have the second expantion rate from 11:56U.T. to the end of the observing time at 12:16U.T.
B) Expantion Rates and Speeds.
From the left graph (real size of the prominence) we can calculate the expantion rates of the "Bubble" prominence.
Hight
From: 11:17 to 11:39U.T. we see an average speed of 1900,5 km/minute
From: 11:39 to 11:54U.T. we see an average speed of 11.287,4 km/minute
From: 11:56 to 12:16U.T. we see an average speed of 11.375,3 km/minute
Width
From 11:17 to 11:39U.T. we see an average speed of 1.547,6 km/minute
From 11:46 to 11:56U.T. we see an average speed of 9.247,2 km/minute
From 11:56 to 12:16U.T. we see an average speed of 1.497,0 km/minute
Hight
From: 11:17 to 11:39U.T. we see an average speed of 1900,5 km/minute
From: 11:39 to 11:54U.T. we see an average speed of 11.287,4 km/minute
From: 11:56 to 12:16U.T. we see an average speed of 11.375,3 km/minute
Width
From 11:17 to 11:39U.T. we see an average speed of 1.547,6 km/minute
From 11:46 to 11:56U.T. we see an average speed of 9.247,2 km/minute
From 11:56 to 12:16U.T. we see an average speed of 1.497,0 km/minute
CLEAR SKY
AND
GOOD OBSERVING
All the above images are made from the Elizabeth Observatory of Athens by J.D.Strikis. Otherwise mentioned.