Solar imaging with SPC900

[Rattler]

I've just given imaging the sun a go through my 200p and SPC900. The results weren't great and I didn't seem to get a decent focus but I did manage to get AR1445. I had 100 frames to stack but it's poor really, maybe because I haven't got a clue how to use Registax. Is it possible to get anything decent of the sun with an SPC900?

[malc-c]

I hope you used the solar film and only used the small aperture hole in the cover ??

[Rattler]

I did Malcolm. Although I did have a slight mishap. At one point I didn't have the cover on as I was checking it was intact and had an eyepiece in as I had been observing. I noticed the light reflecting and used the cover to put over the EP until I pointed it down. The cover started smoldering and melted it slightly. Scary experience and definitely a learning curve.

[JamesF]

I've found it very difficult to get a good focus on the sun with a webcam, I have to admit. I'm rather short on ideas for improving things at the moment, too.

James

[malc-c]

I'm searching my images as I managed some decent sunspot images with my 200P. 2" aperture with film and a NexImage / SPC900. Here's one - details in the image

I know what you mean about how easy it is to make mistakes - I had an SPC900 with filter attached, and inadvertently slew the scope round full aperture - only took a couple of seconds before I heard the cracking sound and the penny dropped and the scope moved off target - result was one filter in two halves (clean crack) and a fried CCD ! - mind you this was at a time when the SPC;s were just a few quid and in abundance

[Rattler]

So it is possible. Was that with tracking? I'm struggling to use Registax. The final image looks all blocky and out of line.

[malc-c]

Yes, the 200p was on an HEQ5, tracking at solar rate. Not sure how it would fair through a non tracking Dob ??

[Rattler]

That's probably why my images are ****. I tried to manually track but it's not easy.