Well here goes...scope out, solar filter attached

[dpastern]

Feeling a bit better today, don't have the racking cough that I've had the past 2 days. Chest feels sore when I do cough though, quite tender. I'm still feeling very weak, carrying the EQ6PRO mount head out was quite hard work to be honest. I struggled.

Anyways, have taken a few images, will post them later tonight, I'm letting the OTA/filter equalise to the outside temperature before doing any solar observing. Wish me luck!

Dave

PS I'm hoping to get a few images of Sol too!

[hilb]

Had the Coronado out in the yard for most of the afternoon. Sunspot 1029 is a beauty! You can't miss it, almost right in the middle of the sphere. Elongated, with some very prominent dark spots. Plus, three prominences at midnight (if you use the tube as the top of the clock), one of which is looping back to connect with the surface and one that is exploding at the top, looks a bit like a leafless tree. Two more towards the bottom at about 5 o'clock...:D:D:D

[dpastern]

Well, some piccies of my setup and one sol shot (plus 100% crop). Those of you with good eyes can see the sunspot region (faintly), near the centre of the disk. I found it really hard to focus with my camera, I couldn't see the sunspots at all (image was taken at prime focus). I wish I had live view for this - live view + 10x mag would have made it much easier for me I suspect.

I was tempted to get my eyepiece projection setup out and put the 15mm eyepiece in, but decided not to.

I am extremely impressed with the Seymour solar filter - very well made, and appears to (at least) my eyes, of very good optical quality. The Sun colour is very pleasing to the eyes, I far prefer it to a white light filter to be honest. Both of my parents had a look, my mum thought it was grand, sadly my dad couldn't see through the eyepiece properly and see the sun. A husband and wife neighbour came over to both have a look, as well as their grown son. I guess I'm doing my bit for IYOA 2009!

Dave