ALERT - Sunspot group visible in Finder!!!

[Merlin66]

Just set up to re-test the modded PST and a large sun spot group on the E side jumped out. Even in white light through the 7x50 finder it's easily visible.
Guys,
Get out there!!!!!!!!!!

11:02am Another even larger spot closer to the centre has just erupted in front of my eye's!!!!!! Very large with a bright eruption patch, changing as we speak.
Both easily visible in White light with finder............................. .
11:20 Second spot fading to a large distrubance
Even my long suffering wife was suitably impressed!!!
Something is definately going on....

[seeker372011]

hope its still there tomorrow

[Matty P]

Looking forward to futher reports and observations.

:)

[Merlin66]

Andy Tennant, Edinburgh, has just posted some good shots in White light, CaK and this one in Ha....
Roll on tomorrow!!

[casstony]

Just been out for a look with the LS50 after high cloud has cleared somewhat. One main spot near a group 5 or 6 smaller ones, lots of detail visible around them. Quite exciting.

Does the latitude of these spots indicate anything about the new cycle?

[ngcles]

Hi Merlin 66 & All,

Have been watching the Sun on and off for much of today and it was good to see a bit of meaningful detail at last. Yep, I see one small dark spot with some undulating penumbra surrounding and lighter patches and (just a few minutes ago) 3 nice proms on the limb.

Tony,

You're ol' PST is working well -- thanks for passing it on to me. Must have used it 10-12 times now in the last month -- very enjoyable.

Best,

Les D

[Merlin66]

It'll be a few hours before I get the chance to do any observing today, so I'm hoping the sunspot group holds together until then.
Seems, according to the MDI image, to be pretty solid.
A great introduction for new solar observers!!

[seeker372011]

I found it very hard to see an actual sunspot group through the PST myself..
some nice proms though

[Merlin66]

In the SM60 with the 15plossl, the main part of the group shows the two dark umbra areas and a lot of twisted disturbances around it.
In white light, JMB filter on the ED80, 10.5plossl the separate two areas are well seen. The larger "spot" breaking down into two separate areas, which large. The secondary distrubed area shows to have an umbra area, and between the two are a couple of small spots!
So even in white light it looks interesting with 6 umbra areas visible.
Good practise for solar observers!!!

[Merlin66]

This group has now been given an official number: AR1005.
If you haven't see it yet, its well worth the effort of setting up the filter and scope. Still visible in the finder!!

[casstony]

I've been eagerly looking for breaks in the cloud today but no luck.

Glad you're enjoying the pst Les :thumbsup:. I was just a touch sad to see it go - nice little grab & go scope.

[monoxide]

checked it out today, first spots i've seen since buying solar film!

made up a filter for the tak and finder, gave some nice views although the seeing was awful

[sheeny]

I got the PST out this arvo and managed to get a couple of looks at it in between clouds!:D:thumbsup:

It's been a long time since Sol was active...

Al.

[casstony]

One spot visible this morning but it's fading - much detail and activity still visible around the spot. A very large, wispy prom too. I continue to be impressed with the sharpness of the Lunt filter.