These Days, Out By Day As Well As Night!

[cloudsweeper]

Not much in the world of solar I know, but until I take it to the next level, simple sessions like this are quite enjoyable.

12.50pm - Sun high, sky very clear, so went for another look at Sol.  Baader filter tested against a strong light - fine.  Set up the ST120, and found the Sun by the shadow of the tube.

x14, 20, 25 - just a white disc until focusing made three sunspots pop out to the NW, near the limb.  There was minimal yellow fringing and shimmering of the limb.

x75, 100 - image just about filled the FOV, but the sunspots were less clear on account of the seeing.

x50, 60 - optimal viewing, nice framing, more shimmering (of course), sunspots clearer.  The solar continuum filter turned everything green, but showed paleness immediately around the spots, and even a hint of the faculae (spidery lighter areas) which populate the disc and concentrate around sunspot groups.  

A pleasing and different astro session of just 35 minutes.  (For me, the glare can get uncomfortable over much longer.)

I'm hoping to move on to H-alpha viewing some time, but perhaps this report might fire up enthusiasm in anyone who has yet to view our own star.  (BUT BE SURE TO USE SUITABLE FILTERING!)

Doug.

 

[domstar]

Very nice. I've just started this myself and I love it. (My balcony is a bit of an uncomfortable sun trap, though). I love it when there appears to be nothing and then I suddenly see something. Today was the best I've seen so far. I'm surprised just how much fun white light viewing can be.

[cloudsweeper]

45 minutes ago, domstar said:

Very nice. I've just started this myself and I love it. (My balcony is a bit of an uncomfortable sun trap, though). I love it when there appears to be nothing and then I suddenly see something. Today was the best I've seen so far. I'm surprised just how much fun white light viewing can be.

Thanks Dom.  I was pleased to see faculae, and now I have a taste for more.  Just need to figure out the differences between a PST and a Quark, and where solar EPs fit into all this.  One thing's for sure - it'll cost a lot!

Had a brief session early this morning with the frac.  Very nice, but only managed a few clusters.  I'm looking forward to receiving the replacement GPS unit so I can get the 8SE back in action.  (Could do it manually, of course, but I've got lazy.)

Doug.

[domstar]

Your frac seems well suited to the best of all clusters- the Virgo super-cluster. Have you given it a go? Once you've found the first one, your wide field would just let you move from one to the next.

[cloudsweeper]

20 minutes ago, domstar said:

Your frac seems well suited to the best of all clusters- the Virgo super-cluster. Have you given it a go? Once you've found the first one, your wide field would just let you move from one to the next.

Yeah, I've managed a lot of those, but the frac doesn't do so well with the local LP.  Bring on the 10" Dob!

Doug.