Sunspots during Sydney's Dust Storm.

RB (Andrew) · #1 23-09-2009, 11:17 AM

Well it's been an amazing and eerie time with the dust storm engulfing our cities and towns.

This morning at around 9am the sun managed to peek through the dust to reveal an amazing sight.
The sun's disk was dimmed enough so that I could safely take a photo of it's surface sunspot activity without using any filters whatsoever.

The sun's image looks like it's taken through a solar filter but as you can see, it's not, it shows trees to the right and the dull dusty sky background.

Click on the thumbnail then press F11 to view the full page and scroll down for the details.

Name: sunspot-duststorm-thumb.jpg
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Size: 5.5 KB

Cheers and stay safe
Andrew

Quark (Trevor) · #2 23-09-2009, 11:34 AM

Pretty amazing image Andrew,

I would think, almost unique. The dust really did provide a most excellent filter.

Well done.
Regards
Trevor

kustard (Simon) · #3 23-09-2009, 11:34 AM

That's a nice image

erick (Eric) · #4 23-09-2009, 11:35 AM

Filters?! We don't need no stinkin' filters!

Great shot! I remember when I first got interested back in late 2006. We had heavy bushfire smoke and I saw a large sunspot, naked eye!

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=15570

pgc hunter · #5 23-09-2009, 11:36 AM

Awesome shot! You can even see some faculae at the sunspot near the right-hand side limb.

multiweb (Marc) · #6 23-09-2009, 11:40 AM

Sure is pretty awesome! Did you focus with live view or is there enough light to auto-focus? I'm amazed how clear it is and the details you've captured.

h0ughy (David) · #7 23-09-2009, 11:41 AM

how lucky are you mate - what a catch.

Darth Wader (Wade) · #8 23-09-2009, 12:15 PM

Awesome image Andrew. Our Sun really is quiet at the moment!

Matty P (Matt) · #9 23-09-2009, 12:25 PM

Very cool Andrew. It is quite amazing what you have managed to capture. The spots are clearly visible.

AstralTraveller (David) · #10 23-09-2009, 12:31 PM

I don't know which is more amazing; that you took the photo without filters or that there are sunspots to photograph.

Dennis · #11 23-09-2009, 12:35 PM

A lovely, atmospheric image Andrew – nicely done!

The dust has just begun to drift into our skies in Brisbane, over the last couple of hours and I’m hiding my L lenses under the bed in a dust proof container!

Yes – I know, they are weather sealed. LOL!

Cheers

Dennis

stephenb (Stephen) · #12 23-09-2009, 12:42 PM

Amazing Andrew. That's a rare opportunity. Well done!

Rick Petrie · #13 23-09-2009, 01:07 PM

Absolutely stunning RB.
Great initiative and brilliant clear capture. Well done mate.

I bet you have done this before using a cigar smoke screen.

Cheers

Octane (Humayun) · #14 23-09-2009, 01:09 PM

Andrew,

What a truly unique capture! There is so much detail to be seen. Well done, mate.

Regards,
Humayun

sheeny (Al) · #15 23-09-2009, 01:11 PM

Very cool, RB!

Al.

gbeal · #16 23-09-2009, 01:15 PM

Amazing, and the Sydney shots. I guess we will get your dust eventually, but not today, it is inclement and that is being polite.
Gary

cookie8 (Vincent) · #17 23-09-2009, 01:27 PM

Now RB that's a rare rare capture. A real eye-opener!!!!

desler · #18 23-09-2009, 01:31 PM

Rare and extrememely good!

I'm on a family holiday on the gold coast at the moment and can't even see where the sun is supposed to be.

A very new experience for me!

It's only been since last Wednesday but I'm missing my scopes already.

Daz

leinad (Dan) · #19 23-09-2009, 02:03 PM

That is coool!!!

Send it to APOD now if you havn't already!

Kevnool (Kev) · #20 23-09-2009, 02:12 PM

Great Timing Andrew.
Natural Born Filters are not to bad.
Great pic.
Cheers Kev.