The Sun, 22/4 - Solar Filter first light! - a repro

[cybereye (Mario)]

Hello everyone!

Well, yesterday I went down to Sirius Optics and picked up an Orion Solar Filter for my ST80 to use during the upcoming Transit of Venus.

Obviously I've had to test the filter and below is my first light with the filter. I am very excited with the result and this was a continuation of the excitment from when I first looked through the eyepiece. The view may not be as spectacular as the one I saw through the new Lunt down at Ron's (Sirius Optics) yesterday but for me it was still spectacular none the less. There was even mild interest from my sons and wife as I dragged them all from the breakfast table this morning to have a look at the sunspots.

One son even paraphased one of the classic lines from the film "The Castle" when he announced that dad could now do astronomy, "24 hours a day!!"

Anyway, enough of my Sunday morning - the image is through my ST80 using a QHY5V and 500 frames stacked in Registax6.

Bring on the Transit of Venus...

Cheers,
Mario

[Jay-qu]

Nice job I just had my first go at solar imaging too I'm still trying to learn how to use registax though...

[cybereye (Mario)]

Thanks Jay-qu!

BTW, there's an error in my labelling - the scope was running at f/5.14 not 2.35...

Cheers,
Mario

[astronobob (Bob)]

A fine start Mario, some good action on sol again atm & your rig will be perfect for the Transit too

[Dennis]

Nice work Mario. I was out there in the morning before the clouds rolled in and managed to grab a white light avi of one of the spots shown so well on your excellent 1st light image.

Cheers

Dennis

[Matt Wastell (Matt)]

Great start Mario - you will do well with the transit!

[cybereye (Mario)]

Two days on and already a repro!!

This version was the best 350 frames stacked in Autostakkert and then further processing in Registax6.

Much better it is.... I think!

Cheers,
Mario