It was a very nice easy to see prominence. I could only barely pick out one of the bright areas visually.

James

Thanks for updating me an the sun today Rainer. I had cloudy skies today.

James

Bob, Thanks for the info. I am used to nighttime observing which does not require etalons. As a general rule anything in the light path reduces contrast. The smaller the better. None is best. I actually downsized the diagonal mirror in my old RV-6 Dynascope years ago to push an already great perform...

Awesome!!

Thanks Rainer, I am learning all the time! I must be wrong about Lunt too. It is Solarscope that is unobstructed.

https://solarscope.co.uk/solar-telescopes/

Why no DSLR cameras? Brand new to Ha solar observing. While I await the arrival of my Lunt LS60HaTP, I have been perusing the forum. I don't see any reference to the use of any DSLR cameras with solar telescopes. Curious why not? I wondered the same! I knew the video cameras were superior but was a...

Franco,

I am considering getting a Lunt wedge myself.

James

I read about Meade declaring bankruptcy but know nothing more. I have a SolarMax II 60 DS. It does quite well but I never have liked the idea of the central obstruction it has in the light path. A refractor should be unobstructed. I did not research well enough when I bought it or I would have proba...

Yes, A binoviewer would be awesome. I have learned from binocular viewing that two eyes are always better than one! And Pedro, you have an FS 60! That is one of two small scopes on my want list, the other being an AT 72. I use my smaller scopes far more than my larger reflectors. Quick set-up to-go ...

Thanks Rainer. It looks like I will have to purchase a monochrome video camera. The better ones are quite pricey though. I need to find a reasonably priced one that has decent performance. Like most things I realize you get what you pay for.

James

Now the question is, when will cycle 24 truly end?

Rainer

Thanks for the Ha & WL views. I have cloudy rainy weather here today.

James

Thanks for the view Salvo. Very nice! I have heavy rain in my part of the world today.

All, I knew the video stacking method was superior the DSLR stills. It shows the evidence clearly on anything that is shot using it. By the sheer number of images taken it helps get around seeing. Just like the eye can momentarily see sharp details in moments of good seeing. The video captures that....

Thanks for your replies. And you guys/gals do not have to take records. Your photos largely do that for you! Once I do get into solar imaging I probably still will keep a visual log. I do it with planetary and deep sky observing as well. It is a well forged habit. I agree that nothing replaces the v...

Update, So far winter temperatures have not been an issue with my Coronado BF 15 blocking filter. I have observed down to about freezing with it with what appears to be only a slight loss of detail. I have no trouble getting the scope on band above 42 degrees or so but still am able to when it is co...

All, I have gotten a new Nikon D3500 DSLR camera for Christmas. I hope to use it for solar imaging. I know that it is not going to have the performance that the video stacking method does but I know it can be used. Any advice here? I have the extension tubes for the scopes but I still need to order ...

All, Just curious, how many here regularly visually observe the sun? Not as just a way to find the sun etc to image it. Most of you guys/gals here seem to be primarily solar photographers/imagers. That is something I do plan to get into in the future as soon as I can finance the equipment. But for n...

I eagerly await cycle 25. My first in Hydrogen-Alpha!

James

Phil,

I observed these features on both the 7th and 8th. Your pictures show them so well!

James

Absolutely incredible resolution Olivier. I can only dream of that!

James

It is amazing how dark those two prominences are. Very easy to see, even at a low 16x in my Coronado SolarMax II.

It's just nice to see more than just granulation on the white-light solar disc!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas here. And got some solar related gifts!

James

Impressive detail!