April 2, 2023: Sun in three bands; FINALLY

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

In my first solar imaging session since August 25, 2022 (!), I finally got good weather, and time to set up the solar kit. I set up the APM 80mm F/6 triplet on the Vixen Great Polaris mount, with the Beloptik Tri-Band ERF. For white light I used my Lunt Herschel wedge, ASI178MM camera, and Baader Solar Spectrum filter. An extra UV/IR block wasn't needed due to the Beloptik ERF.

Not much could be seen in white light.

Sun WL, grey scale:

Sun WL, pseudo-colour:

 

In Ca-K a lot more activity could be spotted. Here I used my Lunt B1800s Ca-K module, with the ASI178MM. Again 500 frames stacked out of 2000.

Sun Ca-K: grey scale:

Sun Ca-K, pseudo-colour:

Sun Ca-K, part inverted:

Sun Ca-K, part inverted, pseudo-colour:

The most detail was visible in H-alpha, as ever. This was taken with the Solar Spectrum 0.3 Å H-alpha filter, Baader TZ-4 4x tele-centric lens, and ASI174MM camera. Given the larger focal length, I needed a 15-pane mosaic to cover the entire disc. Each pane is a stack of 300 out of 1000 frames.

Sun H-alpha, grey scale:

Sun H-alpha, pseudo-colour:

Sun H-alpha, part inverted:

Sun H-alpha, part inverted + pseudo-colour:

 

Clicking to see the full-resolution versions is highly recommended, especially in the case of H-alpha

[Littleguy80]

Excellent captures, Michael. I was observing this afternoon and enjoyed the proms in particular. I’m not sure of the correct term but I called them mushroom rooms 😂

[Mr Spock]

Very nicely done 👍

[Neil_104]

Wow. Fantastic images. I can positively feel the heat coming off my monitor screen looking at the H-alpha pseudo-colour image 🔥

[Kon]

Excellent images.

[Dave Smith]

Very nice Michael.

Dave

[Ibbo!]

Nice, hope its not as long next time.