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Solar imaging with a refractor and DSLR


Iem1

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Hey guys,

Just looking for advice regarding solar imaging with my setup. I do not have an ideal setup for it at all, but I think it will be still a bit of fun to give it a shot.

I have a WO Z73 III + field flattener with an astro modified Canon 600D, all riding on a Sky guider pro for reference.

I am aware I need a solar filter for the scope to avoid a catastrophe, so am I correct in thinking that I need to purchase something like this: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/baader-astrosolar-safety-film-nd-50.html to make a filter? Is this all I need over the scope to safely image?

I would prefer something like: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/astrozap-baader-solar-filter.html but the smallest size they do is 85mm - 95mm, and my Z73 is 72mm I believe 

Perhaps something of this nature? https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/seymour-solar-sf375-375-type-2-glass-solar-filter.html

Is there a best method to image the sun? multiple short exposures stacked? 

Apologies for the barrage of questions/links, I have never imaged the sun before so I want to be sure I have the right equipment etc and I am doing it safely and not going to damage my equipment. Cheers guys

FOV for my setup, it is not ideal, but its a bit of fun! :D 

58310303_astronomy_tools_fov(1).png.24e37ab0a06364cea86f3c797b1f02d5.png

 

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While a Solar Wedge would be best the Baader solar film will still do a good job. For imaging you should use the photo version of the film. Easy enough to make your own filter using a sheet of the film.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/astrosolar-photo-film-od-38.html

Some good threads on the subject here.

https://stargazerslounge.com/forum/92-imaging-solar/

Edited by johninderby
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First two choices are the same, except second comes ready made with cell for mounting on telescope objective (which is handy if you don't want to do it yourself).

Baader Solar foil comes in two "flavors" - ND5 which is good for visual and ND3.8. First one is suited for visual, while second only for imaging as it passes more light which helps to shorten exposure times.

It is very good choice for viewing and imaging.

White light solar imaging is no different to any other type of planetary lucky imaging. You take large number of very short exposures (in milliseconds) and select best frames and stack them with special stacking software (see AutoStakkert!3).

 

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  • 6 months later...

Finally gave this a try! :D

969858625_Sunfinal(small)stackpng.png.e1e0e63751cfe4bb65d129ad359b9d31.png

 

I used the Astrozap Baader Solar Filter over my WO Z73 and my Astro Modded 600D.

1/4000 ISO 100 if I remember correctly.

This is only 4 images stacked. Whenever I go stack a larger pool of data in Registax it just ends up blurring everything.

I was not expecting to see much given my Focal length, but it was actually pretty cool!

Any advice/comments welcome.

 

Edit: I used PIPP to sort and crop over 100 images, then aligned and stacked what PIPP thought was the best 4 images 

Edited by Iem1
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  • 1 month later...

Had my first go at solar this week also,WO Z73 with televue powermate 5x and canon 60D, Baader solar filter used on front of scope.all single shots on a 2 second timer no stacking just colour added in lightroom.

no tracking used on mount just point and shoot. i was please with the detail that was seen inc quite a few sunspots..

 1755079793_Solarimages_-7.thumb.jpg.3ffe37c68572f0f17189d664b392a092.jpg692167287_Solarimages_-10.thumb.jpg.3116ab8a0b3b3ff0a48a77a87ac1a4b7.jpg1902609337_Solarimages_-2.thumb.jpg.379e1464015e3b646c947b9705d5a59d.jpg

Solar images_-3.jpg

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White Light is really interesting, I love the granulation and magnetic lines in the sunspots. I use an 80ed stopped down to 60mm using a Lunt Hershel wedge and Zwo ASI 178mm mono camera. Use autostakker3, ImPPG and Photoshop CS2 for processing. 

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20210630-100207UTellabryant-WL-AR-1.jpg

20200706-093139UT-UnnamedAR-WL-1-1 (2) copy.jpg

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6 hours ago, Iem1 said:

I have never looked into barlows for the scope, but it seems I most definitely should judging from the above images 🤣

Those are brilliant! 

yes works well with planets ,lunar and solar ...i got it cheap second hand and its got great optics.

thank you ..

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