Miguel Claro is a professional photographer, author, and science communicator based in Lisbon, Portugal. He is known for producing stunning images of the night sky and specializes in creating astronomical “Skyscapes” that connect Earth and the night sky. On Feb. 22, 2022, a massive solar prominence formed on the sun’s surface, releasing a large coronal mass ejection (CME) into space. Solar prominences, also known as filaments, are large loops of plasma flowing along twisted magnetic fields extending from the sun’s surface. They are attached to the sun’s photosphere, or its visible outer atmosphere layer, and while they can form in just a day, they can last for months. Solar scientists are still unsure how they form. This prominence was possibly the highest Miguel has ever witnessed and recorded. It appeared so tall in comparison to the sun’s disk that it looked like dozens of Earths could fit inside of it.Related: Watch giant loop of plasma dance above the sun in stunning video
An image of a solar prominence captured by astrophotographer Miguel Claro on Feb. 22, 2022. (Image credit: Miguel Claro)Miguel described this capture as stressful and lucky. Realizing that the prominence was growing rapidly, he quickly decided to adjust the camera to capture the growing ejection. Despite the less than perfect conditions for solar photography that day, Miguel managed to gather a large number of images to create a 4K high-resolution solar movie spanning approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, taken from the Dark Sky® Alqueva region of Portugal.
With a total solar eclipse set to occur on April 8, 2024, individuals may want to capture their own photos or videos of the sun. It is crucial to take all necessary precautions when doing so. Viewing the sun or a solar eclipse with the naked eye, especially through additional optics like telescopes or binoculars, can be dangerous. Any equipment used should have a certified solar filter, or a smart telescope with a solar filter like the Unistellar Equinox 2 might be the best option.Editor’s Note: If you take a photo of the sun and would like to share it with Space.com’s readers, along with your comments, name, and location, send them to spacephotos@space.com.
