It has arrived: a Coronado BF15

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

As many here know, I recently managed to get a Coronado SolarMax-II 60mm solar scope, and have been having some fun with it. The only drawback of the scope was that it came with the 5mm BF5 blocking filter at the rear. I tried using the 12mm Lunt B1200, but that only works with an additional energy rejection filter (ERF) in front of the scope. Although this combination is much brighter and more comfortable to use visually, contrast was a bit lower (especially when imaging, this showed).

I was therefore delighted when the seller of the scope contacted me, and said he was willing to swap the BF5 for a 15mm BF15, with me paying a very reasonable price to make up for the difference. He had a 40mm SolarMax with BF15, and thought the BF5 would be a better match for the SM40, and the BF15 suited the SM60 more. I couldn't agree with him more.

After some adventures with DHL (of which more elsewhere, when my blood pressure is back down ) the BF15 has arrived. A brief test through rather thick cloud shows that the image circle is much wider, the view us much more comfortable, so I am a happy man.

Can't wait to see how this combination works when imaging with the ASI174.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Update: I managed a far less obstructed view of the sun with the new filter. Awesome prominences were visible, mainly on the western limb. One seemed detached. Good detail on the disk despite haze. Very pleased indeed.

[jetstream]

Congrats Michael! I watch closely to what your up to with Ha....  I notice you mention that AS174 to....

I am watching that great prom with the detachment in VG detail atm myself, lowish mag brought it alive, and many others.

Very interested what Ha equipment works with what, thanks for relating this info Michael, Gerry

[fondofchips]

That's the cloud sorted for this week, nice scope though.

While I'm here thanks for answering some of my daft questions in my first 2 years of Stargazing.

Clear Skies,

Fondofchips.

[Luke]

Congrats, Michael. That worked out nicely.

No luck here today, weekend is looking poor but chance to catch up on the processing a bit.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Weekend does not look too bad here, for a change

[Luke]

Good luck for topping up the Vit D at the weekend. I hope white light sends us some big spots soon, I can't wait to try the ASI174 on them on a weekend under decent seeing. I am intrigued whether the extra frames will help with the fine structure of the cells.