Solar maximum, AR 3780

 The sun was littered with sunspots this weekend leading some to claim we've reached the maximum of Solar Cycle 25.  

Sun full disk 8/9/2024 00:05 UTC
Ha Filter "detuned" to continuum.

Sun mosaic 8/9/2024 WL reduced to 33pct

One of these groupings was responsible for another major geomagnetic storm sunday night with aroras visible as far south as texas and arizona (it was cloudy here or my camera would have been out).  

Here's a close up of the largest group, AR 3780 a few days later.  The earth is about the size of the dark circle to the left.  

AR 3780
8/10/2024 23:08 UTC

More shots:

Sun full disk 8/9/2024 00:05 UTC
Ha Filter "detuned" to continuum
colorized

sun continuum v Ha
8/9/2024
00:00.1 UTC
80 pct

Sun full disk Ha exclusion
(central portion inverted)
8/9/2024
 00:00.1 UTC 

Image details:

Ha 

Lunt 60 PT B1200 

manual guiding with alt-azm mount

zwo ASI 174MM

20 second captures

best 20 pct

8/9/2024 00:00.1 to 00:05 UTC

disk:

FPS (avg.)=130

ROI=1936x1216

Shutter=0.032ms

Gain=351 (87%)

Histogram=78%

proms:

FPS (avg.)=106

ROI=1936x1216

Shutter=0.582ms

Gain=351 (87%)

Histogram=100%

detuned surface:

FPS (avg.)=106

ROI=1936x1216

Shutter=0.032ms

Gain=302 (75%)

Histogram=80%

Mosaic

celestron 11" Edge HD, no barlow

ZWO ASI174MM

Baader film, IR/UV block filter, baader solar continuum filter

8/8/2024 23:46-23:49 UTC

20 second captures

best 20 pct

FPS (avg.)=103

Shutter=0.473ms

Gain=380 (95%)

Histogram=89%

close up

celestron 11" Edge HD, no barlow

ZWO ASI290MM

Baader film, 850 nm IR pass filter

8/10/2024 23:08 UTC

ROI=800x800

Shutter=0.056ms

Gain=311 (51%)

Histogramm=91%

East Bluff, CA

generally poor seeing :(

worse on the 8th-9th