Desperate sun images 8 October 2022

[Averton (P and C)]

After 5 days of particularly objectionable weather and an absolute soaking, we were desperate to try and catch an update on the solar activity today. Although it wasn't raining, all images were taken through high clouds and the seeing could be best described as brutal. Meteoblue gave 3.41 arc seconds, indexes of 2 and 1 and the jet stream was 30m/s. Who could ask for more? It was a pity as there were some very impressive proms and the huge active regions AR3116 and 3112 remain interesting. It was just great to see first hand even this much

White light image taken with 6" SCT, ASI178MM and 540nm filter.
Full disk Ha image taken with Daystar Solar Scout 60 double stacked with Lunt 40 etalon, ASI178MM camera and 0.5 reducer.
Close up Ha image taken with 72ED, Solar Scout Quark and ASI178MM.

[RichardJ (Richard)]

Hi Peter & Clare,

Your images are great even with the bad weather

Lots of activity and lots of detail.

Richard.

[Averton (P and C)]

Thanks a lot Richard

[kencas (Ken)]

Hi Clare and Peter,
Awesome as always!
May I ask - are you using a partial ERF with the 6" SCT along with a Herschel wedge and continuum filter?
I'm still biding my time for some clear skies up here...
Ken

[Averton (P and C)]

Originally Posted by kencas

Hi Clare and Peter,
Awesome as always!
May I ask - are you using a partial ERF with the 6" SCT along with a Herschel wedge and continuum filter?
I'm still biding my time for some clear skies up here...
Ken

Thanks Ken.
All our white light images are taken using the Baader AstroSolar Safety film of 5.0 neutral density. According to the Solar Astronomy book, this film is so close to a Herschel wedge, it's hard to tell the difference. To get a full aperture ERF of any other kind at 6" is going to be quite expensive. We find that on most occasions, it is the seeing that stops the effective use of 6" of aperture.

[kencas (Ken)]

Thanks Clare and Peter!
Very true as to cost. When somone mentions Astrophotography I can hear my wallet groan, and then when Solar is included my wallet just sighs and gives up...

[Averton (P and C)]

Originally Posted by kencas

Thanks Clare and Peter!
Very true as to cost. When somone mentions Astrophotography I can hear my wallet groan, and then when Solar is included my wallet just sighs and gives up...

Agreed, you want to be sitting down when you see the bill