September 30, 2013: many filaments in H-alpha, not much in the way of proms

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Just had a solar H-alpha session in my lunch break. Good clear sky but not much in the way of prominences (there were quite a few, but none really impressive). To compensate, the filaments across the surface are magnificent, one string of them spanning about half the diameter of the disk.

[Luke]

Nicely summed up, Michael. The lovely string of filaments I saw this morning was most impressive

[Pig]

Are there any decent eyepiece filters you can use with that will show greater detail whilst you are using a full aperture filter ?

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Are there any decent eyepiece filters you can use with that will show greater detail whilst you are using a full aperture filter ?

For white light you can use a Solar Continuum filter from Baader. For H-alpha you will need a front-mounted ERF (energy rejection filter) combined with a Fabry-Perot etalon + blocking filter to the rear as in e.g. the Daystar system. Very expensive. Regular deep sky H-alpha filters have much wider passbands than the Fabry-Perot etalons (7nm compared to 0.7nm)

[Pig]

Thank you Michael,

I have been pondering over the "Continuum"  filter for a little while, have you used one before ?

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Thank you Michael,

I have been pondering over the "Continuum"  filter for a little while, have you used one before ?

I have one and do feel it adds a bit of contrast. I do sometimes prefer the polarizing filter for its more natural tone, but faculae come out a bit better with the continuum filter