Coronagraph and Solarscope

[Montana]

My first sunshine for a month at weekend, so I was up early and was set up by 8.30am (earliest I can go in my garden). I really wanted to test the newly refurbished Coronagraph but I knew I didn't have much time before clouds were due in. I originally started out using the wedge Wolfgang gave me but I couldn't find focus anywhere with the Grasshopper either occulting disc or solar disc, I didn't have time to waste so I switched back to the configuration I had found before and first found focus of the occulting disc, then put the exposure to the lowest the Grasshopper would go and focused the solar disc like so

Coronagraph test by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

I then moved the solar disc to just underneath the occulting disc and everything goes black. I then raised the exposure very bright and closed the iris to reduce the glare, like so

Coronagraph test by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

Coronagraph test by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

after an hour and a half of painfully trying to get round the solar disc I couldn't find any prominences at all

The haze had started to thicken and I had a lovely solar solar halo

2017-06-03 Solar halo by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

and one with a Buzzard
2017-06-03 Solar halo & Buzzard by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

I was quite disappointed, so I am not sure what I am doing wrong or were the prominences today too small? no idea really, I need to study the manual again.

I then swapped out to the Solarscope but it was getting near impossible to image by then and I only managed 2 frames and no flat.

2017-06-03 Northern hemisphere f colour by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

2017-06-03 Northern hemisphere imp b by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

Oh well, raining again now. I am hoping it might clear this evening again for round 2.

Alexandra

[PDB]

Hi Alexandra,

indeed very strange nothing shows up when the solarmax clearly shows shome prominences. Are you sure you did not get your exposure to bright and the prominences get lost in the glare. Focus looks ok, so that should not be the problem. (At least I think ...)

Lovely halo shots anyway.

Regards,

Paul

[MalVeauX]

Still some lovely images! It's all rain here too.

Very best,

[Carbon60]

I feel your pain, Alexandra. Nothing useful from me to add.

Stu.

[marktownley]

It's frustrating when it doesn't stay blue for long enough. I don't think I'd waste much time with the coronograph if i'm being honest with you, I think you'll get much better proms with the PST. It's interesting as a 'historical' instrument, but's its use for solar observing is crude compared to the alternatives. You will get best results with it when it is those 'deep blue' sky days with no haze etc, that will give best contrast and best chance of seeing proms. Maybe use a ND filter too on the camera if there is too much light.

[Montana]

Thanks guys, I won't let the coronagraph beat me, if Wolfgang can see proms through it then I should be able to as well.

In the evening the skies cleared apart from a few dotted clouds so I was able to have a much better attempt with the Solarscope.

For full detail click on the image then click on the image on Flickr for a magnified view

2017-06-03 Full disc by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

2017-06-03 Full disc f colour by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

030617_174729_ by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

030617_174729_f colour by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

030617_174815_ by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

030617_174815_f colour by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

030617_175212_ by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

030617_175212_f colour by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

Kind regards
Alexandra

[marktownley]

Absolutely superb detail in these additions Alexandra.

[eroel]

Alexandra:
Beautiful images with the Solarscope.
As for the Coronagraph, I think that you have to tilt the filter with the side lever, so to see the protuberances.
Best regards,
Eric.

[Montana]

I did try the tilt Eric and it seemed to remove a reflection and that was about it

Anyway, here is an animation of AR12661 from 17:39-18:06 UTC
2017-06-04-animation-AR12661 by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

That is the last by the way
Alexandra

[David_The_Bears_Fan]

Super set of images and I love that last animation!

[ffellah]

Great work, Alexandra ! A real pleasure to see....

Franco

[Derek Klepp]

A good weekend take Alexandra.

[GreatAttractor]

Excellent pics, and the animation! I'd love it if you used even shorter intervals next time; your scope's aperture in this kind of seeing can't go to waste.

[yltansg]

Hi Alexandra,

I like the animation best and keep trying with the Conoragraph. All the best!

Alfred

[marktownley]

The animation is super!

[jp-brahic]

very nice série Alexandra as usual!!! fine pics

JP

[pedro]

I agree with Mark, the coronograph is an historical instrument and you will get better results with your other solar scopes. It is interesting though, please keep us up to date with your experiments, I'm very interested.

Super images with the Solarscope