Solar AR12765 today

[barx1963]

Image of AR12765 today. Seeing was pretty good so able to get some nice detail. Taken with Lunt 60mm Ha Solar scope, single stack. Feathertouch focuser, ZWO ASI 290MM camera on Orion Atlas AZ/EQ G mount. Captured with Firecapture and processed with PIPP, Registax and PS CC.

Stack of 500 frames from original video of 2000

Malcolm

[h0ughy]

Awesome result

[Derek Klepp]

Well done.Its time to dust off the Lunt 100.First thing will be to clean the blocking filters with CLR.
Derek

[Merlin66]

Malcolm,
Very nice catch. It shows the detail around the sunspot and the filament activity.
Well done.

[Saturnine]

Lovely crisp image of AR2765 and the filament, a lot of fine detail captured.

[barx1963]

Thanks Ken. I think this is my best solar image so far (after 8 years!!)

Cheers

Malcolm

[NeilW]

Great image Malcolm. Nice to see some activity on the surface. It's been a while. Hopefully we're emerging from the minimum.

[astroron]

Nice clear picture Malcolm.

What is a reasonable priced camera to us for Solar H-Alpha (Chromosphere) .
Also is there a Cheap/Free, easy to use program for processing images.?
I have no Idea about processing whatsoever,and don't expect to become
an expert one anytime soon.
I guess with the Solar Cycle just starting, I have plenty of time to learn,even though I have shied away from imaging for that very reason
Film was so much easier for me. ;)
Cheers:thumbsup:

[astroron]

Reading this in Andrews post.
Quote
ZWO ASI 290MM camera on Orion Atlas AZ/EQ G mount. Captured with Firecapture and processed with PIPP, Registax and PS CC.
Stack of 500 frames from original video of 2000
This just fills me with dread and may just deter me from going down the imaging route.:help:
Cheers:thumbsup:

[Merlin66]

Ron,
I use an ASI 1600 (because of the chip size and the small pixel), I also use an ASI 174 for longer focal lengths.
Capture the images as an SER/AVI in FireCapture, then process to a TIFF image in AS3!.
That's the basics.
If you want to tweak and enhance the images then Registax6 or ImPPG.
Start with the basics then move forward.

[astroron]

Thanks Ken:thanx:
But at $2599:00:eyepop:,at Bintel,that camera is Waaaaaay above any budget that I would be prepared to spend.
Looks like it may just be visual observing for me.
Cheers:thumbsup:

[Merlin66]

Ron,
When you get "hooked" you tend to upgrade your gear to maximise the opportunity of better outcomes.


When I started I was using (and still have) a couple of ol' DMK cameras (DMK41 and DMK51) - mono with frame rates around 15 fps. They worked well.


Any mono CMOS camera would get you started and allow you to obtain images of the proms ( with an H alpha scope) and surface features. KISS....keep it simple to start with.

[astroron]

Thanks Ken:thanx:
All things will be considered If or when I get my Solar Gear,from the Good Old USA.
Things don't look so good,as USPS has gone Silent again.:shrug:
Cheers:thumbsup:

[Merlin66]

OK,
I've got to ask....what solar "equipment" are you waiting for??

[Saturnine]

Ron

Even the cheaper Lunar & Planetary cameras, either mono or colour will get you started and as you probably know, can be picked up via the classifieds here for a few $100. I'm currently using a colour camera, ZWO290mc, it gives acceptable results but the knowledgeable solar afficianados recommend mono cameras for better resolution. As mentioned , you can always upgrade when techniques improve and finances allow.

[astroron]

This.
http://www.daystarfilters.com/COMBOQuark.shtml
I have a Celestron Ultima 8 sitting in a roll off observatory
doing nothing,so with some advice from Jonathan (Astrojunk)
decided to go down the route of Purchasing this filter set,with
a 6.3 Energy reduction filter.
The price paid would have given me a 60mm dedicated h-Alpha solar scope,
but not double stacked,just either for Chromosphere or prominence filter.
That would mean another scope to join the 4 other scopes I already have,and seeing as the SCT is motorized and I would have to get a mount etc for the solar scope thought this would be the most economical way to go.
Now Please Mr Postman deliver my parcel.
Cheers:thumbsup:

[astroron]

Thanks Jeff:thanx:
I have been doing a bit of reading about cameras,after Kens post re his 1600 mm ZWO,and realized that there are cheaper ways to go.
I wont do anything until I get my solar filter set and see whether I want to go down the imaging route. :question:
Cheers:thumbsup:

[Merlin66]

Ron,
Which model did you go for?
The Chromosphere??

[astroron]

Yes Ken,I thought I had put that,but Ididn't:rolleyes:
I thought that the surface was maybe just a bit more interesting,so went for that.:)
Cheers:thumbsup:

[barx1963]

Who is "Andrew"??:P

[astroron]

Fixed. :D
As long as I don't call you late for dinner. ;)
Cheers:thumbsup:

[barx1963]

Or breakfast!!:lol: