Lack of solar observers

[Merlin66]

I'm surprised that there are not more people observing the Sun at the moment.
We're well into Cycle 25 and there's plenty of daily activity to keep any observer engaged.
White light filters are showing enormous sunspots and associated activity and the Ha scopes continue to excite with the views of Filaments and Prominences.
Now is the time to actively consider the Sun as one of the important observing targets.
https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/solar-cycles/en/
https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/solar-activity/solar-cycle.html

[MortonH]

Agreed. I'm looking for a 1.25" solar wedge.

[Startrek]

Ken,
Very true , there’s only a small group in IIS of talented Solar imagers like yourself enjoying this field of our hobby.
I have to admit though since starting Deep Sky and Planetary imaging just over 6 years ago , the Sun (Solar imaging) didn’t provide a sense of wonder , excitement and amazement like DSO imaging under the Milky Way on a dark night, especially at mid range focal lengths of around 1000 to 1200mm.
Probably a narrow minded opinion but yes the Sun is ever changing and the images change in dynamics but at the end of the day it’s still a big active glowing ball of hydrogen. Probably a lack of understanding about our Sun contributes to a lack of excitement with Solar imaging too.
I do hope new comers to the hobby find an interest in Solar imaging as you have so much advice and help to offer them.
I’m glad you brought up this topic , it might spark a few new Solar imagers

Cheers
Martin

[Merlin66]

Martin,
Thanks for the feedback.
Yes, " lack of understanding about our Sun" could be one of the issues but a little of Dr Google will allow you to find a lot of info and data.
( My "Imaging Sunlight - using a digital SHG" has many chapters on observing and imaging the Solar surface - in many wavelengths)



SolarChat ( https://solarchatforum.com/ ) is the biggest amateur solar forum on the Web and the many members are only to willing to assist any/ all amateurs in solar imaging and solar awareness.


The Sun is the only astronomical object which varies from day to day - every day presents an new and different view of the surface both in White Light and other wavelengths.


The current solar activity only peaks (when there are many sunspots etc) every 11 years so it seems a waste not to take advantage of the current situation and do some observing.

[Nikolas]

I think also the expense of the decent solar scopes is a limiting factor

[Merlin66]

Nick,
To start your journey into Solar observing you can use the same telescope as you would for any other astronomical observing.
If you have a 60mm or a 300mm scope they can both be used to give exciting views/ images of the sunspots umbra/ penumbra/faculae, surface granulation and the ever changing activity.


All you need to add is a good, safe White Light solar filter, I use and recommend the Baader Solar Film filters - they are optically close to perfect (so they won't reduce the resolution of your scope) and 110% safe to use - providing a ND5 reduction in energy.


Yes, solar imaging can be a bit like astrophotography, when you get serious then the costs of filters, filter wheels, cameras etc etc start to add up quickly (I know from my own experience!)
But in the case of Solar you can start with White Light ("Solar 101") without having to upgrade your mount (!!) - adding the serious H alpha (or CaK) filters yes is expensive but believe me the views are well worth it! especially with the activity coming over the next few years.


I'll admit over the years I've bought (and modded) many solar filters $$$$:eyepop:
but today things have changed.


The advent of 3D printed "SolEx" and other MiniSHG (spectroheliographs) combined with excellent upgraded free software (INTI etc) and fast frame mono Cmos cameras, now allow you image in ANY visible wavelength (CaK, H beta, Mg, Na Ha etc etc) and obtain your final image literally in seconds!
The cost of the MiniSHG's is a fraction of the cost of even the cheapest Ha etalon filter. Bang per buck it just can't be beaten.
The opportunities are there.....

[Dave882]

Last year I upgraded from a PST and purchased a very old 2nd hand Daystar Quantum SE 0.5A and have it on an even older Konus 127mm acro. I've been enjoying it greatly and yes I love how dynamic the sun is. As with the planets, I usually don't feel the need to take photos and much prefer looking through the eyepiece. In this regard the Quantum doesn't disappoint - and even though it's probably not as sharp as a new one, my views of proms are easily as detailed as any photo I've seen posted here (just a tad dimmer), and chromosphere detail very good but a little less sharp/contrasty as the images I see.

All of the posts I see on IIS usually pertain to imaging so I also wonder sometimes whether anyone really looks through solar scopes with the eyepiece anymore. For me, the summer heat can be quite challenging, and remembering to re-apply sunscreen lol. Another challenge for me is eye strain and dry eyes which I found hits me much harder with daytime observation - but using the binoviewers greatly reduces this problem.

I don't get out during the day as often as I'd like due to work, family stuff etc, but I too would really encourage folk to have a go at solar observing especially as the sun becomes more active.

[GUS.K]

Solar observer for the last 13 years, imaged a little in the beginning, but much prefer visual. I've taken up sketching and this just adds to the visual experience.

[Merlin66]

Ivan/ David,
Visual is still good!
I used a PST for many years the SM60 setup for visual - it was very good.
Upgrading to a SM60 double stack and later a DIY CaK filter allowed me to start imaging (and processing) some great solar images!
The current MiniSHG is even more versatile offering access to more wavelengths.

[croweater]

Hi Ken. Could you please explain what the miniSHG is.
Thanks and cheers, Richard

[Merlin66]

Richard,
This is my version of a 3D solEx SHG where I used standard fittings to make a 125/125 SHG.
I can supply details if needed.
Ken

[croweater]

Thanks Ken. I found good info on a site called Astroturf.
Cheers, Richard

[Dennis]

Hah - tell that to the clouds in Brisbane....:P;)

Cheers

Dennis

[Saturn488]

Activity has been great. Have been imaging and creating time lapses since the beginning of the year. Best time!

[Tulloch]

This is a very small community, and while I have an interest in solar imaging there are a few problems.

Firstly, you have to do it in the day, when most people are at work. Next, it's quite difficult and potentially dangerous to line everything up without the proper equipmernt. It's difficult to see the screen during imaging and the seeing conditions are usually terrible. When I've tried it using a white light filter, the heat also throws my collimation right out.

That being said, there are many solar images posted on international sites such as Cloudy Nights. I used to post my planetary images here on IIS, but found I get much more feedback and advice from CN.
https://www.cloudynights.com/forum/87-solar-observing-and-imaging/

Andrew

[Merlin66]

Andrew,
Solar observing, like astrophotography requires some planning.
Adding a solar filter to the finder is a cheap and safe way of aligning with the Sun. Also wrapping the scope in foil/ windscreen sun shield reduces the heat build up on the scope/ camera.
For many years I used a 80L grey plastic tub with the lid hinged up with a piece of fencing wire and covered with a dark sheet to protect the laptop. It worked very well for me.
[Edit: some better photos of the Solar Observatory!]


I agree the daytime seeing conditions can be a bit iffy, I find mornings better than afternoons.



I suppose you could say regular solar observing is in the realm of the retired members............



I don't follow CN. The Solar Chat site is a dedicated solar site which over the years has supported the amateur.

[Saturnine]

As one of the solar observing crew, if on an irregular basis, I know that not all of us can observe and image every day because of weather issues or lots of other reasons. The window of opportunity is not open for the full 12 hours, give or take, every day either. Making time to indulge our hobby, fetish, past time, whatever to call it, is just part of the daily juggle for "time".
Having said all that, I'm sure that there are plenty of "us" out there quietly observing and appreciating Sol in white light or other bands, mostly Ha I imagine and just enjoying the views without having to tell the rest of the world what they are doing . Helping each other with tips, tricks or advice is important or just plain encouragement when we capture a nice image is a nice feeling.
Solar observing and imaging is only a niche in the larger amateur astronomy world after all but a rewarding one and hopefully I get more time to devote to the pursuit in the future. Always start my sessions with a visual tour via the PST, to see if there is anything really interesting, which I kind of know anyway, from checking Gong, Spaceweather .com etc and if there is and time allows, will set up for some video captures in Ha as well.
Guess that's enough rambling for now but to all who contribute , please keep it up , it is always good to see everyone else's efforts and provides encouragement to get the scopes out more often, especially with Sol winding up toward a maximum active period.

[EpickCrom]

Hi Ken.

I observe the sun every clear day using my "state of the art" instrument, an old 20x80mm tripod mounted binocular that I bought second hand from an Army Surplus store 6 years ago. One objective is broken so I just project the sun onto white paper using the one working side!

This is good enough for me to enjoy observing the multiple sunspots that can be seen daily. I can even make out the sunspots umbra and penumbra :thumbsup:

Clear Skies
Joe

[PhilTas]

Have hardly seen the sun in the last three months or so - no, I'm not in the clink, it's wet season in Darwin!
Getting close to the dry now....

[N1]

I'm planning to observe the solar corona next month, does that count?

[Merlin66]

Mirko,
Yes, that counts!
I hope the weather in WA is kind to you.
Look forward to seeing your eclipse images.:eyepop:
Ken

[Saturnine]

Speaking of the Exmouth eclipse next month, does anyone know of any webcast being available for viewing.

[N1]

Haven't checked yet but you'd hope Learmonth Solar(!) Observatory/BOM would jump on this colossal outreach opportunity. Surely they've got the bandwidth and facilities to do it.

[Merlin66]

There's some good and up to date eclipse info on the ASA site
https://eclipse.asa.astronomy.org.au/

and the SEML forum (Solar Eclipse Mailing List )is full of discussion.......
https://groups.io/g/SEML/topics