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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Solar Observations of 28 July 2004

I took some time away from my needed duties and undertook some solar observation this morning..and came away with good images of sunspots 652 and 654. I haven't indulged in solar observation in quite a very long time. Not since the Christmas eclipse of 2001 I think...

I set up right outside my garage this fine Wednesday morning, and my neighbors who drove by thought me odd. They may be right...

I erected my portable screen, balanced on top of the telescope case and focused ever so carefully until I could get sharp images of the sunspots. I was using different filters now, and the blue and orange ones brought out nice detail. But now, I had noticed that the focuser was getting rather warm...

This is probably my best imaging of Sunspots that I have ever taken the time to shoot.

You can clearly see group 1 (652) near the edge, and grouping 4 & 5 (654) was imaged nicely as well. But I did not see sunspot grouping 2 & 3 while observing. It was only after downloading the images that they became visible to me. Spaceweather.com does not identify these sunspots...perhaps they are new ones...or maybe just dust specks!

I also could not observe sunspot 653. If I squint and look long enough, the area below 652 COULD be the area. Now the focuser and eyepiece was a tad warmer then before, and I was getting a bit concerned. I have read where the intense heat can actually harm and warp the optics of a scope. But since I don't have a aperture filter, I let caution to the wind...

This last image is kinda cool, with the sunspots displayed as depressions on the sun. The embossing creates a 3-d effect to good study.

Overall I had a good time shooting these monster sunspots that could swallow the Earth and more. I understand the flares they spewed produced Auroras way down south. Can't say that this city boy has ever seen one. I had thought that I might have missed these sunspots as it's been rather cloudy here during the day. But I am certainly glad that I took the time out to capture the spots.

Not bad for a modest 4.5" reflector.

[stargazer]

Joe,

You got lucky if that didnt fry the scope. It dosent take much.

Sounds like a good catch. I have drawn them both out for a cert. Still have 5 more drawins to go before I can turn it in though.

Maybe in the next couple weeks I will finish it.
I will let oyu know

Becky

[starbux]

You got lucky if that didnt fry the scope. It dosent take much.

How very true! My second telescope was a 6" reflector. I tried solar projection a few times with it, and without warning later the secondary mirror fell off it's spider and landed on the primary mirror. The fall took significant chips from both mirrors. The scope was still functional after the secondary was re-glued back onto the spider, but I'm sure it wasn't the same. If you're going to do solar projection stick with small refractors. You really don't need the extra light-gathering ability of the reflector in this case!

Even if the secondary is held with clips and not glue, you are still superheating the glass, and there's no telling if it can/will alter the optical flatness or the coatings.

[BigTenInch]

The Orion solar filter is a great way to go if you don't mind putting out a few bucks. I think it's a good investment because it doubles the amount of the day you can use your scope on the sky. I always take the finder scope off when using the solar filter, or at least cover it. It's just like being in orbit. Beautiful image with it.