Saw the Sun for the first time through my PST!

[04Stefan07]

Two words, Holy Crap!

The Sun just peaked through some clouds and I got the chance to try out my PST that I got earlier this week. Chucked the PST on my DSLR tripod and went outside and found the Sun. It looked AMAZING! I saw a sun flare at the top right and a pretty big sun spot near the middle.

I can't wait for the clouds to clear so I can spend a good hour or two observing.

I used a 19mm Eyepiece. I noticed the adapter where you put the eyepiece, the hole is really small. Anyone know why?

I currently have a standard 25mm Celestron, 9mm X-Cel LX Celestron and a 19mm (can't remember the brand).

Can't get over what I saw! :D

[Merlin66]

Stefan,
Welcome to the bright side!
The views will only get better as you get more practise observing...
I find a 10mm eyepiece to be "just right"
Quote:
I noticed the adapter where you put the eyepiece, the hole is really small. Anyone know why?
Unquote

I assume you mean the small size of the blocking filter at the bottom of the eyepiece holder....this is 5mm diameter, just large enough to clear the sun's image at the focal length of the PST (400mm)

Enjoy!

[bloodhound31]

Lucky you! I've never looked through one but I'd love to!

[brian nordstrom]

:D Yes welcome to the bright side Stefan , Ha observing is awesome as you see the sun change in a matter of miniutes , so dynamic .
Brian.

[Merlin66]

As Brian say's the Sun is the most dynamic astronomical object you can observe - every day, every hour, every minute is different!
Needs to be seen to be believed!
Majic!

[04Stefan07]

Agreed!

I will need to make a mod to my tripod I have noticed.

The PST has two screw holes underneath. The tripod plate I am using has only one of these screws, does anyone know where I can get one? (1/4" thread I think the bigger one is in any DSLR, possible to get a plate with two of them?).

I may also have to create a longer handle too.

Also is it normal that you need to be in a 'perfect' position to see the sun through an eyepiece because of the small blocking filter? If you move slightly the Sun will go out of sight.

Sun is in and out today. I quickly tried a 9mm before, got a close up of the whole disc!

[Merlin66]

Stefan,
Don't worry about it! One screw holding the PST is enough.....
Yes, that's the nature of the beast....
Until you get into a Stage 2 mod and invest $$$$$$ in a larger blocking filter....

[Poita]

Next time I head to Canberra I'll bring the Lunt and we can have a viewing day.

[bloodhound31]

OOOHHHHH WOULD YOU!!!!????? You'd be my new bestie!

[04Stefan07]

Yeah it seems fine the way it is.

Thanks mate! :D

[goober]

Funny, there was a guy set up on St.Kilda Road with a Lunt last Saturday afternoon, right over the Yarra. I had a peek and it was incredibly awesome - never seen the sun through a HA filter. I can certainly see the fascination.

[04Stefan07]

That would have been a sight! I am addicted already I want the Sun to come out.

I can't stand it how in the morning when the sun rises there is not one cloud in the sky then by 10am it clouds over.

[skytry]

hi Stefan,
now for the pic's,
we will all enjoy the scenes,
well done,
regards,
Peter,
PS, still looking for one, it shall come,

[04Stefan07]

Not only it's really different but the equipment needed is minimal and very portable.

[Shark Bait]

I am glad to read that you are happy with your PST. I hired a PST from my astronomical society and enjoyed the views, but wasn't thrilled. It has a bad case of rust. From your comments it sounds like you picked a scope with optics in good order. :thumbsup:

[Stardrifter_WA]

It sure is very fascinating. Although I have had a long time interest in stars but never really considered observing our closest star, apart from white light projection of sunspots. Mind you, it has only been in recent years that affordable high quality Ha scopes have become available.

My first look at a Ha scope was at this years Stellafane (Springfield, Vermont), where I actually looked through several different Ha scopes. I am totally hooked on the Ha now and, after looking through different scopes, my next scope will be a Lunt Pressure Tuned 60mm or 80mm (if I can stretch the bank account that far). I thought the 80mm was much better, but it is quite expensive in comparison to the 60mm.

But, alas, I probably won't get it until I go to the US again in 2015, when I will time my trip to coincide with Stellafane. As I had such a great time there this year, I want to do it again. I would have gone next year, but my daughter is getting married on the weekend of Stellafane, so had to put it off for another year.

Cheers Pete

[04Stefan07]

How come Solar scopes are really expensive? Is it the type of optics that is uses?




Yeah the first models/early ones had that serious problems with rust. My one is a newer one (about 3.5 years old). It has the blue tinge lens.

[OICURMT]

Do youself a favor and get a zoom eyepiece. 8-24mm is ideal. It allows you to get a full disk view and then get "close and personal"... without having to change eyepieces and potentially losing track of the sun due to vibration, movement etc...

I use a Hyperion Mark III

OIC!

[Stardrifter_WA]

Expensive in relation to what?

It is all relative Stefan. Although they cost a lot, as most specialised equipment does, I don't think they are that expensive, considering what you are getting, but I admit that that is a subjective view. They are only become expensive if you can't ever afford to buy one. :D Sure, I can't afford to buy one right now, as there are other priorities at present. Do I think they are worth what you pay for them....sure do! I will get one, eventually :D

If everyone bought a solar scope in the same numbers as, say, a Bluray player, unit cost would be much lower, due to manufacturing economies of scale. But that isn't the case, hence a higher price due to lower volume. Not that many people want them, so they are not as popular as a normal scope, at least yet. With light polution getting much worse, we may only be able to observe the sun, in years to come, so they may become very popular then and will become cheaper as a result.

Cheers Pete

[brian nordstrom]

:) Stefan , the best time to view the sun is before 10-11am as the day has not warmed up so much and the seeing is a lot better.
Brian.

[N1]

I totally agree cost is relative. Hydrogen filters are the best thing since sliced bread. A marvellous feat of craftsmanship. After years of pondering, I finally got a 60mm Solarmax this year to put on the little 60mm Tak frac, and the views blow me away every single time I look at the sun through it :eyepop:. There is nothing like it. Crank up the mag and you think you can just about touch those proms. This is the coolest piece of equipment I ever owned, so money well spent. Glad I didn't spend it on, say, a big screen TV :screwy:. Because what this thing shows is REAL. And it doesn't need batteries, updates or "likes". Only thing to consider (besides the cost) is that these filters are hefty lumps of metal that still need to be treated like raw eggs, especially when you love portability. I travel a lot and was lucky enough to also get my hands on a well-priced LS35Tha, Lunt's PST equivalent, this one with a larger-than standard blocking filter. also the band is slightly narrower (i.e. better) than the PST's. I quite often have breakfast now while watching our star do its thing. According to the saying that the best scope is the one you use most often, this is it!! :thumbsup:

Cheers Mirko

[Merlin66]

Stu,
Re the Rusty PST.....
Get the Society to drop me an email. I can help.

[Shark Bait]

Thanks Ken,

We are having our monthly meeting this Friday. I will make them aware of your offer.

Regards.
Stu.