Solar Observers - when do you observe

[AstralTraveller (David)]

I'm buying a second-hand H-alpha scope (yeah), a 60mm Lunt. As it happens I'm also organising a micro-observatory for my DSLR and it strikes me that this will be the perfect mount for the solar scope. However my preferred location for the mount doesn't have a great eastern horizon. I heard mention that people like to get their images before the heat of the day. But of course the Sun need to be up high enough to not be looking through too much air. So what in peoples experience is the lowest elevation at which you start observing?

thanks,
David

[Derek Klepp]

With a 60mm scope you are not going to be as affected as with larger apertures.If you image disc shots will be fine as will most others.As for visual to be honest I never worried much about the seeing as the dynamic nature of the Sun such as watching a flare or a large prominence live far outweighs dodgy seeing.Enjoy the scope.
Derek

[GUS.K (Ivan)]

I usually view between 8am and 11am or after 2 pm as I find the seeing is usually good early morning or late afternoon in my local area in those time slots.This is with either a Lunt 100 or 60 double stack scopes I have viewed around noon occasionally, but find the best seeing usually early morning. I am mostly visual nowdays.I have been viewing and imaging with Ha scopes since 2010.

[EpickCrom (Joe)]

G'Day David. I observe the Sun in the morning, after 10am most days. My set up is decidedly low tech, old, unbranded ex military 20x80mm binoculars I bought second hand on a tripod using projection method. But hey it works and I enjoy the views!