Sunspots and Binoculars

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

The clouds parted for about 10 minutes today and I quickly raced outside!

As it was only a sucker hole, I didn't set up the scope for a tracked Avi of the sunspot, but I grabbed the Solar Filter and the Knockies.

It works great (with care).

I called my boys out to have a look and very carefully kept an eye on them to make sure the filter stayed in front of the Knockies. They loved it!!!

The spot was clearly visible for all of us. I attempted a pic through the Binoculars and filter with the pocket Camera, but it didn't work. Oh well, it was fun while the sun popped out.

Here's my son Jake checking the sunspot out, and the Pocket camera failure.

[OneOfOne (Trevor)]

Good shot Ken, I particularly like how you show holding the filter over the bino's so no one could think of using them on their own. Unfortunately, too much cloud in Melbourne lately to do much. I know we need the rain, but we don't need the cloud...

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Thanks Trevor,

Yeah, still risky holding it this way as one slip and the sun could shine through unfiltered and blind them, but I kept a very very close eye on them.

It is pouring rain again now, we only had a window of about 10 minutes total to do this.

Rain with no cloud, that would be good

The sunspot was remarkably clear and easy to see through these little 'Andrews' knockies. But I would've preferred to image it through the ED80. But it was great fun.