A little solar viewing

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Inspired by the "Sun in MDI" column down the left hand side of the page and the sunspot I thought I noticed on it, I decided to try my hand at some solar observing today.

This is something that I had never tried before (so was a bit nervous) but, solar viewing was one of the justifications I had previously laid out to my Finance Minister to justify the acquisition of the SkyWatcher ED80 refractor as well as the Bintel SkyView Alt Az Mount several months ago.

Armed with a JMB Type A Solar filter (worked great with the ED80) a spare sweatshirt (to cover my head when facing the sun), a pocketful of TV Plossl eyepieces (32, 20, 15 mm) and of course a Stellar Seat I went outside.

Since I have never done any solar viewing from home alone and as this was the first time that I would be using this gear together for this purpose, I was a bit nervous...I should not have been.

I decided to do a complete review of my gear to make sure that it was all fit for the purpose. Solar filter was in perfect condition and it fit perfectly on the scope. I made sure that it was well attached to the scope and could not come off by itself.

I then got everything set up scope, mount, chair...I had read that you can and should use your shadow to get aligned with the sun...this clever bit of advice worked a treat (it is something I would never have thought of on my own).

I put the spare sweatshirt over my head and put in the eyepiece and in no time at all I was looking at the sun. It was one of the coolest things I have done in a long while!

The sun spot from the MDI picture, was actually not just one spot on the sun but I was able to see several small dark areas...WOW! I had a grand time just watching.

Then suddenly, wispy billowy cottony threads began to cross my view and before my eyes, a big old cloud drifted in front of the sun blocking out the view. The thing that was cool besides watching it happen in the eyepiece was feeling the sun's warmth ebb and flow as the clouds crossed it's face. It was great!

I called the family out and they all had a view and were suitably impressed. Soon the clouds began to get more frequent and I called it a day.

I really enjoyed this first solar viewing experience the gear worked a treat (scope, mount, filter, eyepieces, spare sweatshirt and chair)! It was a good (and quick) Saturday project and I can't wait to do it again.

I highly recommend that you give solar viewing a try...get (or borrow) the proper gear and get started.

Clear and Sunny (spotty of course) Skies to All!

[casstony]

It is fun to get a close up look at a star and to observe in the daytime. While the finance minister was looking through the scope I don't suppose you happened to mention those prominences that some telescopes can see?

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Onya Scott!

It's a real buzz seeing the surface action isn't it

Glad you finally got to see it.

One precaution I must stress here for others who may want to try Solar observing: COVER THE FRONT OF FINDERSCOPE WITH SOMETHING!!!!!!

It's so easy to forget.

And please don't use the finderscope to line the scope up

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

I did mention to the Minister of Finace that there were telescopes that could be used exclusively for the sun...While she appreciated that as a fact, she was pretty certain that our current equipment was sufficient!

Ken, I am glad you mentioned the findercope safety reminder...I should have mentioned that I removed mine before starting.

Cheers!