first light lunt solar filters and ed80

[Paddy]

I was very excited to receive my new Lunt 50mm Ha solar filter and B600 blocking filter (thanks to Casstony) and the new skywatcher ed80 on which to sit them last week. Knowing that they'd be coming to my workplace, I took my Vixen LVW 17mm so I could have a look if a client cancelled. They did and I joyfully set up my new system, only to find that the ed80 with supplied 1 1/4" adapter didn't have enought in focus. As I was staying at my workplace in Bendigo that night, I gave the scope a run with ordinary diagonal, but the light pollution was appalling. Don't know how people do observing in cities.

So true reasonable first light was last night and today, at home with televue eps. By night, although I think it will be a good grab and go scope, I know why I have a 16" dob.

But today, after some frustration with some clouds, I finally got to look at our nearest star at about 4 pm. Despite wind and the sun being a bit low, the view was stunning. A small but very elegant solar flare, looking very much like the ears of a cat or fox peeping over the disc of the sun. Some very interesting sunspots and other surface detail that I now need to understand. So if anyone knows some links to good tutorials (with pictures) on solar features, I'd be very grateful. Or books.

I started doing some sketches, but the sun was getting behind some trees. Tomorrow, tomorrow... So now the obsession can be 24 hours a day.

[casstony]

Try this Patrick: http://www.sungazer.net/ha/ha1.html

[MikeyB]

Also, Observing the Sun in Ha (http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org/halpha/)

A site that will give you a good summary of current solar events is: SpaceWeather (http://www.spaceweather.com/)

Welcome to the wonderful world of solar astronomy, Patrick - there's something new to see every day, now we're at last coming out of a prolonged solar minimum.

[sheeny]

You'll love it Paddy!

Al.

[Paddy]

Many thanks for the links, very helpful. I think I can now say that I observed a sunspot, filament and solar prominence. As well as the incredible granular texture. Day off work tomorrow and no clouds - hmmm. Will have to use a fair amount of sun screen.

[sheeny]

Hat! Remember a Hat!:thumbsup:

A sun burnt scalp is not good!:P:lol:

Al.

[Paddy]

Oh yes, especially with a solar panel on the scalp, revealed by decades of hair loss.

I think this solar observing thing could be a problem. Had the scope out all day, kept revisiting it and seeing what was happening next. Amazing. I just don't know when I'm going to get time to do anything non astronomical.

One more question. The Lunt literature recommends simple eps like Plossls. Not having a plossl, I've been using my Naglers - does this make much difference? The view through my 9mm Nagler looks very good.

[sheeny]

I've used the standard Kellner that came with the PST, and the Cemax Solar scope EPs and my Nagler 13mm T6. I think the nagler is fine:thumbsup:.

Al.

[Paddy]

Thanks Al.