Sundays Solar Overview - 11th March

[marktownley]

Despite some intermittent cloud today on the whole it was a nice day - almost spring like!

I started off in Ha wavelngths, making sure I got my focus spot on today, the KG3 glass in place of the rusted ITF is really bring out the midtone constrast; i'm really pleased with this image...


B&W Ha Full Disk by Mark Townley, on Flickr

The Full Size image is definitely worth a look!

Then, as always the colour version for those who prefer...


Colour Ha Full Disk by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Full Size Here!

Taken with the DS40 @ f20, DMK31, 6 panes assembled and post processed in CS4.

Next off was CaK wavelengths; Lots going on today, Pedro was talking about some brightened areas in his images and I have also recorded the same thing - first in AR1432, and also just below the the big spot in AR1429. In addition I have also imaged what appears to be the filament that is sat across AR1429 - compare with the Ha image, it's definitely the same feature... This was taken with the 70mm frac @ f9, homebrew CaK filter, DMK31, 6 panes assembled and post processed in CS4.


CaK Full Disk B&W by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Full Size Here!

And the same in colour...


CaK Full Disk colour by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Full Size Here!

I also tried some proms in CaK, nothing spectacular, but shows those clouds are there in the purple too...


Cak Proms by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Things wouldn't be complete without a view in WL, the full disk was taken with the 70mm @ f11, Lunt wedge, Continuum filter, KG3, DMK31, 6 panes assembled and post processed in CS4. Seeing was erratic between the frames so not all parts of the disk as sharp as I would like...


wl full disk by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Last but not least I couldn't resist a go with the new Tal100RS refractor, took a bit of fiddling around to get a focus here, but got it in the end. This was taken with the Lunt wedge, TiO2 filter, KG3, 2.5x powermate so ~ 2500mmfl. AR1429 came out quite nice - tried with the 127mm but seeing wouldn't hold it...


AR1429 by Mark Townley, on Flickr


ar1429 colour by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Hope you like my overview - I certainly had fun in the sun today!

Mark

[Dennis Put]

Amazing Mark! Looks like you had a sunny day too

They're all great!

[marktownley]

Thanks Dennis!

[JohnW]

Hi Mark,
Some nice views, esp. the CaK one and large spots in WL. Cheers, John W (Australia).

[MissBluesArtAstro]

Hello Mark
all is very good at passing the disc, the filaments of ptits river of magma clearer, and stains visible sontbien! I love

[oortcloud2012]

The 2 CaK are my favorite....love those...beautiful work. :

[edobosz]

very nice Mark, I love the Cak shots. Nice detail and tons of activity alright!
Ted

[Cschur]

Mark, a magnificent group of images! I must say the calciums are really good, but the white lights are great too. So many combinations of filters and scopes, gee you must have been busy outside for hours!

[stets]

very comprehensive and very nice

[florencior]

The Ha image contrast is wonderful, but i prefer the CaK BW image

[swisswalter]

Hi Mark

great results. I'm happy for you, you waited a long time for such a session. The CaK shot is mega sharp. I wonder why on my monitor the Ha full disks ar not that sharp

[marktownley]

Thanks everybody! It was good to be outside under the sunshine I have to say. Have had the Lunt wedge for over a year now Apollo, its a nice peice of kit... I know what you mean about the Ha Walter - I wonder if it's just the resolution limitations of the 40mm aperture showing through, or whether i'm not as aggressive with my processing now - there certainly was a time when I would push the post processing which would give hard edges to the constrast; there definitely is a softness though...

[Montana]

So you convinced the wife she didn't need to go shopping then

I must admit I saw these first on the other forum and the clarity of the full disc hydrogen alpha is amazing (dare I say this) but here they don't look quite as good They look spectacular here Walter in this format http://stargazerslounge.com/imaging-sol ... march.html

I don't understand why?
You were very lucky to have such a fine Sunday, I long for a day like this.

Regards
Alexandra

[Derek Klepp]

They do look good there. I'm guessing that's your local forum .I resisted from going further. Too many forums not enough time. Mark very comprehensive overview.

[marktownley]

So you convinced the wife she didn't need to go shopping then

I must admit I saw these first on the other forum and the clarity of the full disc hydrogen alpha is amazing (dare I say this) but here they don't look quite as good They look spectacular here Walter in this format http://stargazerslounge.com/imaging-sol ... march.html

I don't understand why?
You were very lucky to have such a fine Sunday, I long for a day like this.

Regards
Alexandra

Fi ended up going on herself

They always look a bit better on SGL, I know what you mean, weird eh...

Thanks for kind words