The Solar Observer's Handbook: Observing · Imaging · Understanding the Sun

The Solar Observer’s Handbook Understand what you’re seeing. Capture it correctly. The Sun is not a static object. It is dynamic, evolving, and different every day. Sunspots change, prominences rise and fall, filaments stretch across the disk, flares erupt without warning, and fine solar detail can vanish quickly if seeing, focus, equipment setup, or observing technique are not right. Most solar observers eventually face the same problem: they can see or photograph fascinating solar activity, but they are not always sure what they are seeing, why some views are sharper than others, or how to make better decisions at the eyepiece, at the camera, and in processing. The Solar Observer’s Handbook is designed to change that. Written from decades of hands-on solar observing, imaging, teaching, and outreach experience, this practical, image-rich handbook bridges the gap between solar physics, visual observing, and high-resolution imaging. It is both a field guide and a technical reference, built to help readers understand the Sun more clearly whether they observe visually, capture images, or do both. Inside, you will learn how to: Observe and image the Sun safely Recognize solar features on the disk and limb with confidence Understand why white-light, H-alpha, and Calcium-K views reveal different structures Identify prominences, filaments, surges, sprays, loop systems, spicules, plage, fibrils, flares, and active-region features Choose appropriate telescopes, filters, eyepieces, cameras, and sampling strategies Understand seeing, airmass, atmospheric dispersion, and temporal limits Improve visual observing technique and high-resolution capture results Process solar data without introducing artifacts or losing important detail Build workflows for broadband, H-alpha, Calcium-K, mosaics, time-lapse imaging, and troubleshooting The book includes a comprehensive visual H-alpha field guide, real-world case studies, step-by-step observing, capture, and processing workflows, equipment guidance, and access to real solar practice data for stacking and processing. “Essential reading for beginners and experienced observers alike.” — Andy Lunt, founder and CEO, Lunt Solar Systems Whether you are looking through your first solar telescope or refining an advanced imaging workflow, The Solar Observer’s Handbook will help you move beyond guesswork and understand the Sun as a dynamic, physical system. If you want sharper views, better images, better decisions, and a deeper understanding of what you are seeing, this is the solar observing guide you have been missing.