Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS. 32x, 44.5x, 64x and 100x ( Ha )
The first thing I must say is that AR12778 is absolutely awe inspiring. As of date I have never seen this much detail in an active region before. I could actually see the filament arcing over from one side of the AR to the other. Also the AR shows depth with the spicules being pushed out surrounding it like grass being blown outward from a downdraft. With the light and dark radial streaks, it looked almost raylike. I have only seen this in images to date. Martin Wise posted one today that shows this very well. It's neat to see the filaments trace out the magnetic flux tubes! I also caught a tiny bright spot that lasted less than 10 minutes. I checked the GOES satellite data and found no flares listed at that time ( 1:05 EDT ) one having took place less than an hour before. I don't know what to think of this. Too tiny to emit much x-rays? Maybe an Ellerman bomb? I have no idea, I just knew something brightened and faded back out in a very short time. I can also see the spots in Ha too and the plage itself is easy. The second plage in the NW is not difficult either but lacks the dynamic activity of it's southwestern neighbor. I pick out five filaments in the northern hemisphere but none really stand out. Only one tiny one in the south can I see. This of course is not counting the ones associated with AR12778.
There are no spectacular prominences on the solar limb today. I see only three worth mentioning. The easiest one shows some detail on the NE limb while a faint candle-flame is visible on the SW limb and another faint prom on the NW limb. I do see a few other tiny ones around the disc. The spicule layer is easy and 100x does show some of the individual spicule blades. The mottling is high in contrast and really stands out and is hinting at it's true nature.
Celestron NexStar 102 GT w/Altair wedge and Baader 540nm continuum filter. 55x and 110x ( WL )
AR12778's sunspot group has grown massively since yesterday and is the biggest group I have seen in at least a year and a half. There is at least 24 spots/pores in the group. Probably more. Some are very tiny. I cannot pick out the faculae directly but the granulation hints at it's presence. I do not see any spots or pores on the NW AR and I don't see it's faculae either. I looked for polar faculae but could not see any.
I took a few pics today too. WL without the filter and with it and Ha. All using my iPhone.
Carpe Lumen!
James
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great images too 
