Observing the Sun

demonstrate an understanding of how the Sun can be observed safely by amateur astronomers
describe how astronomers observe the Sun at different wavelengths
demonstrate an understanding of the appearance of the Sun at different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, including visible, H-alpha, X-ray

WARNING - Never look at the Sun directly, even with your naked eyes. You can damage your eyesight very easily.

There are a number of ways, however, we can observe the Sun safely.

Pinhole Camera	Projecting using a telescope	Filters	Solarscope	Use a remote telescope
	skyandtelescope.com
This can be done with just two pieces of card one of which has a hole in it.		These just let through a small amount of visible radiation.	You can buy these for around £20.	SOHO was launched in December 1995. Its job is to observe the Sun.

Like all stars the Sun emits waves from many parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, not just visible light.

In 1995 a spacecraft called SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) was launched to observe the Sun in many wavelengths. There is an excellent website at http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/home.html where you can see many images and videos taken by SOHO.

H-Alpha

The Sun contains a lot of excited Hydrogen and this emits light of a very definite wavelength which we call H Alpha. If we just look at the Sun using this wavelength we see a great deal of detail on its surface which might otherwise be hidden. H-alpha filters can be bought to fit on most telescopes.

H alpha Sun, US National Solar Observatory, Sacramento Peak