What better way to spend a sunny sunday..

[Odd Thomas]

...than to sit in the garden with my Skylight/Daystar H-alpha scope. Its mounted on a motor driven CG-5, which is ample, despite the size of the scope.

[Biggz]

Looks relaxing

I hope you dont mind but this might be a stupid question, but I'm very new to astronomy but...

What's there to see in the daylight? Was the moon still visible?

[jarralad]

the sun,but with a proper filter.

[John]

Great looking scope

Big investment in a single use instrument though - although the Sun is a fascinating and ever changing object.

[Odd Thomas]

Looks relaxing

I hope you dont mind but this might be a stupid question, but I'm very new to astronomy but...

What's there to see in the daylight? Was the moon still visible?

Hi Biggz,

no stupid questions, only ones you don't know the answer to.

The scope has a Daystar Hydrogen Alpha filter and ERF fitted which means you can safely view the sun and in a very specific wavelength of light (H-alpha) which means you can see great detail of surface features and flares etc.

John, the biggest surprise to me was that you could see so much movement in the flares, prominences etc in 'real time'.

[Mr_Si]

What would "Sun Viewing" equipment / filters set one back?

[Marki]

Lovely set up .

What is an ERF?

[estwing]

What would "Sun Viewing" equipment / filters set one back?

go on the FLO website and look for some Baader solar film..then youtube to make one..cheap and simple

[keithatrochdale]

ERF = Energy Rejection Filter

The Baader solar film will let you view the Sun in 'white light', you will be able to see sun spots but not surface detail or flares/proms etc.

Remember to block off your spotting scope (or use a bit of filter film on it too!)

[Odd Thomas]

What would "Sun Viewing" equipment / filters set one back?

As estwing says white light viewing can be done for £20 odd using Baader film or similar. To see surface detail and flares etc you need to move to H-alpha or Ca-K equipment costing from around £500 up to many thousands!

[The Sailor]

Nice one, myself I sat eating a meal just off the beach, a nice view out to sea, a calming day

Jim