Sunday 19 June 2011

AR11236 Light Bridge, Dark Filament

There seems to be some discussion as to exactly what the 'Light Bridges' are that divide large sunspots such as the one that dominates AR11236 http://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=19&month=06&year=2011 However, from my perspective, looking at this picture it is quite clear that a 'Light Bridge' is just a filament that sits over the top of a sunspot. It is light against the black of the sunspot core, however either side it can be seen to extend as a dark filament hovvering above the brighter solar disk.

Sadly today was dominated by cloud and only intermittent gaps, as such this is the only capture of note that I managed. Visually the sun was very impressive with plenty of prominences all around the limb.

Hopefully the 'British Summer' will improve from the cloud and rain of late and I will be abler to get somemore views in!