solar imaging question

[rolls05]

Howdy folks. Could someone tell me if theres a clip on solar filter for the skywatcher ed 80? Only I thought when I get the scope might as well get filter as well as I'd love to image the sun at some stage . I presume i only need a filter.Would that be right?:confused2: Cant see any thing on the scope sites. Another thing.I see people use video cams as well and then stack the vid in registax. But wouldn't the sun be difficult for the program to lock on to features? Unlike planets and such where you have stars,or the moon were you have obvious features. Cheers.
edit: yea I know:screwy: But it doesn't seem like a dumb question to me.:)

[Merlin66]

I'm sure your local astronomy shop will stock suitable filters to fit the ED80.
These white light filters are pretty standard.
You can always make your own using the Baader solar film..works very well.
The webcam type solution ( ie an AVI and stack lots of frames) is ideal for the sun..you can hopefully freeze the seeing conditions due to to short exposure/ frame.
Stacking needs some visible detail...usually a sunspot will do the job.
(In my Ha images there's always plenty of filaments and surface detail to "lock" onto.)
Hope this helps.

[stardust steve]

Hi Rolls. No such thing as a dumb question:)
From my experience i can provide some info.
Attached is a pic of a end cap for the SWED with a solar filter built in. Make for a very easy application. It came with my swed 80 so i am not sure where you get them from but that is what they look like.
I have used a program called AVI stack 2 i think it is with an image sequence created from a movie clip. You can load movie clips into the program also but i never had much luck with that, i was using the wrong format AVI. From there the program stacks the image sequence etc. I did find if you can track your object, i had better results. I tried hand moving the scope on my eq5 manual mount with 8" newt and the result was very jerky and the image sequence was all over the place.
Hope this info helps:thumbsup:

[rolls05]

Thanks guys. Ken ,I wish we had something that passes for a specialty scope shop in NZ but,alas:shrug: Anyhoo, with that filter image in mind I found the exact thing on your Astroshop,so I think they may as well sell me a mount and scope package as well. Didn't see any of the baader film stuff tho. Still only 40 for the ed80 one so,all good. Cheers.:thumbsup:

[Carlz]

i bought one from Bintel for my ed80 and it fits over the end, and also has tightening screws. Cost me $20 :-)

[Larryp]

Hi Rolls
You can order directly from Thousand Oaks Optical in USA

[mithrandir]

As long as they don't have a local distributor. I think you want an RG-4750 (film) or 4750 (glass) and it looks like there's a bit of a wait.