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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Solar Imaging - Pre Eclipse prep
02 March 2024

Today's lookin' at the Sun....'cause I can...and you should too.

Clear winter skies and warm temps bring me our every time. With near 60 degrees for a March day, it's the perfect weather for this Astronomer to bring out scopes for some solo solar imaging.

From my backyard, I a have a limited window of solar opportunity, as the Sun rides low in relation to the horizon and I need to squeeze time as the solar disk slides past obstructions such as my neighbors buildings and trees. My time with the Sun at this time of the year is from about 12:30 pm to about 2:30 pm. Better angles in the summer when the Sun is higher.

If I am going to do solar, the Coronado 60mm Solar scope is usually the first instrument I set up. The scope teased out decent details, as seen above, with some nice granulations and faculae artifacts. Some Prominences, but nothing major this day.

Switching to the 152mm Explore Scientific Refractor, it's a monster of a tube at 988 Fl/ - f/6.5 and weighing in at 23 lbs.

I am thinking about using this as one of my Eclipse scopes, as I can ride the Coronado easily on top and save lugging an extra mount. 

I am concerned with the fields of View (FOV) offered by my scopes around the solar disk, with enough comfortable area to capture details, such as the corona, but not so much in magnification.

The 152mm Refractor feels good...plenty of real estate surrounding the disk

Here, a urban sky filter is attached to kick up some contrast.

Mounting the 100mm Maksutov, brings in a sharp solar disk, but kinda tight...even more than the 152mm...

At a focal length of 1400mm - f/14, she is lightweight and delivers great images.



Nice imaging from this tube, but here I am losing some comfortable space around the disk, but still I like it.

Popping in a .025 reducer,  I regain a lot of area around the solar disk...



I like this too, as I can tease out some coronal streamers with the generous open area around the disk.

I just might have to lug the Coronado, 152mm & the Mak w/ mounts....including the camera gear/accessories and Maria's 5"SCT set-up!

Well worth it.   

NOTE: Walk away from those who preach to just enjoy the moment....to forgo the photography and enjoy the pics of others.  Total nonsense.  That is akin to going to the Grand Canyon and viewing someone else's vacation pictures.  With proper time management....one can accomplish both.

Onward to 08 April 2024

Astro Joe 

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Clear Sunday

03 March 2024

Clear skies mean scope time and the temps are in the low 70's...a beautiful day out to test gear.

This time, I brought out the Canon T5i DSLR. It was my main camera for quite the long time, but I upgraded to the Canon T7i and kept the T5i as a backup auxiliary. The T5i is 18 megapixels, but the T7i produces 24 megapixels. There isn't that much difference, but the T7i streamlines certain functions. I like it so much that I ordered another one, especially for the upcoming eclipse event.  The articulating screen is a must!

For documenting the solar eclipse event, I will have three Canon DSLRs for video and stills, attached to various scopes. Secondary line of cameras for auxiliary ambience captures and maybe a old cell phone or two to just keep running and see what it captures in the wide shots, Maybe even attempt tp record the "Shadow Snakes" that most people overlook. I witnessed them in 2017 and quite eerie, but hard to record.  And yea....I can do both, record the event and enjoy the spectacle.  Walk away from those who tell you to forego the cameras.  It's like looking at your 2nd cousin's trip to Disneyland....no connection.  And besides, I have Astro students and Chicago Astronomer fans to share with and use as a teaching tool.



The Coronado performed well as always, but not a lot of edge-on prominences this day. The above solar disk is a single shot, slightly processed with wavelet sharpening.

Lookin' good for Monday, 08 April 2024.

Astro Joe