Advice needed on observing sunspots

[acharris77]

Hi all, I need some advice. I am looking to get into basic observing of the sun and want to start off observing sunspots. I am using my old childhood Tasco 60MM refractor scope, using a piece of white card to project the sun onto.

I tried it earlier and I seen the sun and focused it on the card fine and got a good, sharp outline. But I noticed that the sun was quiet and no sunspots on show. As I am new to solar viewing is it luck of the draw if you see sun spots or are there times of day that is better?

Sorry for the stupid question, but I don't know as much about solar observing as I do the night sky? Thanks in advance.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

It is very quiet on the sun in white light at the moment, and solar projection does not always show the finer detail. You could get some Baader Solar Film and make a cheap, but very effective solar filter from it.

[jabeoo1]

Yeah agreed with Michael, I could see no sunspots today.  Everything else was on steroids except sunspots.  

[NGC 1502]

A small refractor is ideal for sunspot observing.    As mentioned in post # 2, a Baader filter ( fitted securely over the front objective lens ) will do a good job.

But as also mentioned above, there's not much to see in white light at the moment, last time I looked, 2 days ago, there were a few tiny ones.  They are easier to see with a Baader filter than with a projected image like you are already doing.

A Baader filter will give a fine view of the Solar eclipse on the 20th of March, so we are all hoping for a clear morning for that.............

Regards, Ed.

[acharris77]

Thanks all for that advice. Yeah I was looking at the Solar Film to make my own filter, but I am unsure how to make an holder for the front. An idea I had was a drain pipe over the end with some solar film on it.

Thanks again and I will look into a filter for my 60mm.

Cheers.

[SteveB72]

I would advise buting a filter ready made they are not expensive and will fit very securely. I did not want to take any chances with the filter falling off while someone was looking through the scope.