Sunspots 20th May

[iceman (Mike)]

Finally found some time to get some solar photography practise in before the Transit of Venus in a couple of weeks.

Tested the PST (just visually), need to install capture software on my laptop again and test the DMK again

Also tested the ED80 with a white light solar filter, and my Canon 5D Mark II hooked up.

Trying to focus on the LCD screen of the camera in daylight is reallllly hard, even with Live View. On transit day I'll take my laptop out and feed the live image to the laptop - hopefully it'll be a little easier to turn the focus knob and watch the live view at the same time (I need a motorised focuser on the ED80).

The first image is about 30 images stacked in Registax, I think it was 1/800s exposure @ ISO250.

The second image is a crop of the two big sunspots.

Last 2 are setup images taken with the iPhone.

- Large 1
- Large 2

Gee I was rusty - but it's inspired me to do another session or two before the event.

[StarLane]

Man that's awesome...well done

[h0ughy (David)]

mate - barbells velcroed on OMG

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

You're ready to rock and roll!!

[Dennis]

Nice work Mike.

Cheers

Dennis

[Matt Wastell (Matt)]

Nice solar cannons Mike!

[Logieberra (Logan)]

Wow, salty air up there! Poor EQ6! Nice shots though

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks guys, I enjoyed the time with the scope again.

Yeh I wasn't the only thing rusty - the EQ6 has not been treated well. It's not from salty air (I'm far enough away from the beach). Mainly being left outside for long stretches in rain etc.
It actually took quite a few turns of the ignition to get the baby started.

The hand controller and power cable plugs are rusty too

[Deeno]

Looks like you've got things sorted.

I had better do the same...........