During the more active parts of its 11-year cycle, the Sun is a fascinating object to observe with a suitable telescope and filter. This image does not show the surface structure well, but it does show several large prominences around the solar rim. Amazingly, these prominences can appear and disappear in just a few minutes.

Image details: 1/150 second exposure at ISO 1600, taken with a Canon 400D camera through a Personal Solar Telescope using eyepiece projection with a 26-mm eyepiece.

June 3, 2012