Mark at Beaufort

Thanks Freddie - I looked at this https://gong2.nso.edu/products/tableView/table.php?configFile=configs/hAlpha.cfg Looking at Learmouth it appears there is something in the middle of the Sun - faintish plage??

I tried to observe it in white light on my 150P Newt - but nothing. I switched to the PST + DS and can observe a very faintish plage in the middle of the Sun. Not sure if this is the location of the sunspot. I looked at GONG but it does not appear to have been updated for a few days - can anyone also check. SpaceWeather is showing a blank Sun

Lovely photo Dave - I hope the world changes for the better when this virus comes to an end and Isaac David grows up in a less polluted world. As a side issue I live on the edge of the City with my East/West horizon facing a rural countryside. Its only the North that has LP with a nearby High School having floodlights. These have now been turned off so I am hoping for a clear sky to view DSOs in the North - hopefully.

@Stu - Stellarium is showing mag 14.7. It shows its position in Ursa Major not far from M81 and M82 and a line to star 23 UMa Checking some more the comet we should be following, at the moment, is C/2019 Y1 (ATLAS) not Y4. Y1 is the brighter Comet and its just on the top of Andromeda near Alpheraz. However, over the next few months its Y4 that gets much brighter.

I have just decided to update Stellarium and Comet c/2019 Y4 (Atlas) is not on the download list - correction now done.

Thanks Neil - I read some information several weeks ago but it did not appear to be that exciting. Anyway things have changed so fingers crossed we might get a decent show. http://cometchasing.skyhound.com/

Thanks for the update Alan - I had a feeling it would be cancelled to later in the year. I note that the revised date is 26th September.

Patrick I assume you will be observing from home and therefore which is your clearest horizon away from light pollution? Download https://stellarium.org/ and it will show you all the constellations from your home position. If your southern horizon is good then check out the constellation that transits at the best time for your observing. For example tonight at 9pm - Gemini and Cancer are either side of the south transit line.

That is an interesting product and I notice its graph does not go beyond 1100nm as Ken mentions above. To be honest I am now more confused at the safety aspect of viewing the Sun direct. If the front filter or Herschel Wedge does not stop IR radiation beyond 1100nm and this is also the case with UV/IR filters can this in the long term have an affect on the eye. In saying this I have not read any cases where the eyesight has been ruined. Also, I cannot imagine that some major research has not taken place regarding safe direct viewing of the Sun.

I notice this statement on another website - I don't know how much below 400 nm it goes.

Ken on that basis it would be sensible, as an extra safety measure, to purchase a UV/IR filter - especially as they are not that expensive.

John that is very useful information. I have not seen this - have you a link?

Ken I nice collection of images. I just wish we had more Sun in the UK.

Thanks @vlaivthat is useful - on that basis it would not hurt adding a IR/UV filter into the optical train even for standard visual observing.

I would interested if someone could explain the need to use a IR/UV filter whilst solar observing in white light. I understand that cameras need to have an IR/UV cut filter in place to improve the image taking. But why? If the front filter removes 99.99% of dangerous light/radiation which includes IR and UV - why the need for an extra filter? So if a camera needs it would it be sensible to add this filter when visually observing. It appears that 365 astronomy states that this is necessary even when using the Continuum filter. I would welcome opinions. I would state that I have used an Orion glass filter, thousand oaks glass filter, several Baader filters and a Herschel Wedge so my eyes are still working but I just be happy to receive advice.

Alex that is a brilliant image of the Moon.

I viewed the Sun yesterday with my PST and did not notice the sunspot. After reading this thread last night I decided to view this morning in white light using my Skywatcher 150P Newt + 13mm Ethos and the 10mm Celestron DUO. Well there it is AR2758 - its small but at least we have some activity. I will try later with the PST + DS to see if I can observe any plage.

Chaz have a read of this - https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reviews/baader-contrast-filters_US-ATT_review_0414.pdf

Gav what a lovely looking frac - I can only guess the fabulous views you must get with that OTA.

Well I have just viewed Venus with my 12" Dob and 6mm Ethos EP - mag - 253x. The image was very sharp but could not see any surface markings. I accept I am really a DSO observer so perhaps I need more training.

Nice images Charl. I viewed the Sun with the PST + DS - at least we can now see it after the poor weather recently

Thanks Stu - I think at my age I definitely will need bionic eyeballs.

Excellent sketches Mike - I have never seen cloud markings on Venus - perhaps I should buy a Tak as it appears to tick all the boxes in planetary observing.

Really good image of the object - not seen that often so appreciate you posting this image.

Brilliant Mark - the extra mirror size clearly makes a difference with an experienced observer.