Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Mar 2, 2024 18:23:29 GMT -6
Solar Imaging - Pre Eclipse prep
02 March 2024
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