The Sun like you’ve never seen it before - astounding pictures and 4K timelapse videos of our nearest star
BBC Sky at Night Magazine • • science
Key Points:
- The Sun undergoes an 11-year solar cycle of activity, currently in Solar Cycle 25 since 2019, which is more vigorous than the previous cycle but not the most active on record.
- Portuguese astrophotographer Miguel Claro captures high-resolution images and time-lapse videos of solar phenomena such as prominences, flares, and granules using specialised hydrogen-alpha imaging techniques.
- Claro documented a rare solar tornado through a nearly 4-hour time-lapse in April 2024, revealing dynamic magnetic structures invisible in single frames.
- He also produced detailed full-disc solar images highlighting major features like Active Region 3590, responsible for powerful X-class flares, and created composite eclipse photos showing both the chromosphere and corona.
- Claro’s work provides valuable scientific records of solar behaviour while emphasizing the importance of proper equipment and safety when observing or photographing the Sun.