There are some large sunspot groups moving across the surface of the sun in the current cycle, and with today's cloudless sky I thought it would be a good opportunity to showcase them. Moving from left to right, the major groups in this photo are Sunspot Group 1903, 1899, 1896, 1893, and 1902. This photo was taken with a 200mm f/2.8L with a 2x teleconverter at f/18, ISO 100, 1/50th second, and an exposure compensation of -2 1/3 stops.
Post processing started with a detail medium filter in Topaz Adjust. I then adjusted adaptive exposure, contrast, protect highlights, detail, and detail boost. A levels adjustment and a deep yellow photo filter were added in PSE.
Wow, what a camera that will take a photo like this of the sun! In my NM high school in the 1970's, I took Biology and Chemistry, and Physics was offered as an optional course. When I took the ACT, the entire science section was about sunspots. Needless to say, my results showed that I had never heard of science in my life--probably showed that for all my fellow graduates too. I made sure to take Astronomy in college . . . :}
