Merlin66

I got some images of this AR in H alpha and CaK. Looks like there is another active area just coming around.

+1 for Kaler. Easy to read and covers the whole subject. Look for an earlier edition on Abebooks etc.

Steve, Well done! Good catch of the latest AR (AR2771) - looks like there may be more activity coming behind it.

If you orientate the solar image with north to the top, it will match the images on Gong and SpaceWeatherLive (other than an E-W horizontal flip when using a diagonal), then "appearing in the NE", "disappearing in the SW" are unambiguous. https://www.atoptics.co.uk/tiltsun.htm The tiltingsun graphics helps a lot.

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback.

Finally got a clear day and pretty good seeing. Imaged in White light (Genesis, Baader Herschel wedge). Ha with the DS SM60/ ED80 and CaK with the DIY filter/ ED80 (stopped to 60mm). FireCapture, AS3!, Corono Enjoy!

Ron, Due to a series of problems with my ol' ACER I had to move all my astronomy stuff to the "replacement" DELL. In doing so I upgraded to ASCOM V6.5. I haven't found any problems/ issues running my usual programs - EQMod, CdC Astroart etc.

I use UCAC4 but just noticed that UCAC5 was issued back in 2017. It's not even mentioned on the UCAC website! https://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astrometry/optical-IR-prod/ucac Has anyone tried it yet??

I use a similar SW motor/ belt drive on all my scopes - all six of them!!! In my case I run the belt on the 10:1 knob for fine focus control (I only do solar observing and spectroscopy).

I use the same idea, the nose piece from a 2" adaptor which gives a male SCT thread. This allows the SCT accessories to be fitted to my ED80 scopes. Re focus motor The original Genesis I have doesn't lend itself to modification to fit a new motorised focuser. Thought about the problem for almost ten years........... Finally figured out a solution - just add a belt driven SW focus motor to the edge of the existing focuser knob. Works very well.

An UV -IR somewhere in the optical in the optical trainwill work well.

ASCOM was recently updated to V6.5 Which version have you installed?

Luke, Any update on this issue????

Steve, The lack of detail while tuning could be a symptom that the etalon has become decontacted. This unfortunately can be a terminal issue...... If the etalon is damaged, you need expert assistance from Coronado/ Meade. I also believe Beloptic offer a repair service - seems to be around 270 Euro ( https://beloptik.de/en/etalon-repair-service/) Without seeing the instrument first hand it's difficult to confirm, but dropping a PST (or any other solar Ha scope) can be fatal. Ken

Noeltg, I’m close to Melbourne, the scope should point towards the South Pole with the weight pointing down. Clamp in this position, and use the hand controller to move the scope.

I understand your concern, but the NR can only arise between very closely spaced surfaces. The cover plate on the chip I’m sure is 100% designed for the normal camera application, not for narrowband Ha solar imaging. The spacing of the coverplate to the silicon is restricted, likewise the thickness of the coverplate. The front window is to far from the chip to generate NR. Note, NR May be generated in Ha wavelengths, but not an issue when Imaging in CaK.

Ok. But the front window has nothing to do with the NR

Rusted, et al, The Newton Rings are caused by the sensor chip cover plate, the exterior coating (AR), thickness and material all have a part to play. This “cover” is an integral part of the chip and is not removable. I think you be thinking of the protective “window” added to most (all?) the current cameras - these can be removed for cleaning. Some chips are more prone to NR than others. The only “solution “ is to change the effective thickness of the cover by tilting.

I've prepared an English translation of the SolarRuler, which may assist. SolarRuler-v4b_e.pdf

It seemed to be over x16 the diameter of the Earth in height. Flares like this only survive a few hours.

Applying the grid to the Gong image: It shows the prom height is greater than 200,000 Km! That's roughly 16 times the diameter of the Earth.

With the attached overlay you can estimate positions and sizes of the proms. RegleSolaire-v4b.pdf

Still fighting heavy cloud bands moving across, but some results. CaK and Ha

Obviously a 100mm aperture, under good seeing, and good eyesight, are capable of resolving this double double.

A thin black thread separation is the “minimum “ Takes time, this is not a 30 second challenge. Good practice to train your eye. It’s a bit like running....everyone can run, but few have the dedication to run properly. Takes practice and rigor and some dedication. The more you look......the more you see.