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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Impromptu mini Solar Session with the 90mm Refractor

I haven't done any solar viewing in a very very long time. And with the Sun in coming out of it's Marauder Minimum, really...it was not a interesting object.

While I was working on the FatMax 4 in 1 Workstation in the garage, the sun was shining beautifully and I thought...why not.

I set up the 90mm on a mount, (goes up quickly), and did some projection viewing...

Two sun spots were readily observable...

1204 & 1203 had classic umbral markings and was a treat to view them.

But, when I used to do Solar viewing for the Adler Planetarium, I always popped in a yellow filter for a better dramatic shot. so, I do it here as well, using a 40mm wide angle 1 1/2" eyepiece...

I had forgotten how difficult it is to take a decent solar shot with the blazing light overpowering the camera and numbing the eye....but I did my best in these quick shots.

This was the first solar session for the all plastic 90mm refractor and it did a good job.

I should do more solar...no, really.

[patrickm]

Badass!! Someday I will see it...

[Paulie pchris00]

I like it! Yes, you really should do more solar viewing. It was the only thing that got me through the winter season.

We should do a solar session at Adler. I can try to bring the Coronado from Calumet Astronomical Society. I still haven't been able to observe with it for lack of a mount. Maybe I'll look around for one when I'm at the observatory tonight.

[patrickm]

Yes please! I still haven't seen our star magnified yet!

[Paulie pchris00]

With projection, I guess it is magnified, but it's totally different than even say the Moon. I'm still waiting to see it in Ha.

[tomlee]

Magnified projection! In normal photography that's also refer to as enlargement, as in making prints with a piece of imaged film. Wow, that's an idea for astrophotography. I wonder if my one-inch-thick-dust-covered enlarger can be in some kind of services in the near future.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Tom,

I say yes, that you could use it for some solar projection.

I have used various non-telescope lenses for projecting solar images, but be careful.....very bright and dangerous. I'm sure the reflected light is also a hazard.

Last year I used the Fresnel lens off a projection television to hat my living room, just by placing the lens in the window on sunny days. But....it's a dangerous thing do to.

[tomlee]

Joe, you like taking things apart, don't you? So does my brother Henry.