SolarChat!

This morning a miracle happened, it was totally clear blue sky early in the morning. Finally I have handles on the C11 although I still needed the hubby's help as I didn't have a third hand to tighten the clasp screws but he managed that fine

Celestron C11 by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

Celestron C11 by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

Celestron C11 by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

I didn't expect to see anything but I tried 2x Barlow and the Baader solar film ND3.8 and the Baader Continuum filter + UV/IR cut. Wow! I could just about see to focus and after waiting I had one moment of really clear seeing to get this image.

Sun_083606_05_05_2018_ by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

I am over the moon with it then a hour later I managed another

Sun_093149_05_05_2018_ by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

Hopefully now I know the set up I should be faster tomorrow and maybe try a 3x Barlow. All this would not have been possible without the very kind donation of some Baader 3.8 film from Ewan Hobbs

Alexandra

Beautiful, very sharp granulation, Alexandra ! Congratulation on the solar debut of the large scope

Franco

That looks excellent!

Rgrds,

Paul

Wow! Very nice debut of your C11 !!!

Hope you always will be blessed with such a seeing.

Note, that it is more difficult to get such a good resolution and sharpness at green light than at deep red and H-a in particular.


Valery

Hi Alexandra,

Congrats!! You have caught gems on the Sun

Alfred

Fantastic HR WL first images with your C11. Well done, nice resolution

Excellent results, Alexandra. I like the filter holder, what brand is it? (Or is it homemade?).

excellent!
the granulation stings the eyes!

Alexandra,
I also have and use the C11, the best investment I made was to have a clamp on the dovetail. Can’t remember the UK supplier of hand but it makes lifting and fitting the OTA much easier and safer.

Thanks everyone, I was absolutely over the moon to get such a good pic to start off with, I hope the weekend continues to bear fruit

Filip, I bought this filter from Rupert (Astrograph) http://astrograph.net/EMC-S100-Solar-Filter-Size-10 but sadly Baader don't sell the big rolls of ND3.8 anymore. Thankfully Ewan had some of his roll he gave me and I fitted it into the cell. You really need ND3.8 for imaging, the ND5 that came with it was next to useless as it was so dark.

Alexandra

Hi Alexandra,

WOW amazing fine detail on the rice grain

Great result and handle . Very impressive
Robert

An excellent start with the C11. Very promising.
As Valery said, you should consider includind a red filter in your tool box

Excellent, Alexandra. Very nice granulation images. I tried with my 250 RCT in H-a, but couldn't get anything because the sky was too hazy early on.

Stu.

All I can say is that look out when you image in Ha and CaK with that scope.What a truly delightful image and good to see Hubby back in action.
Cheers Derek

Hi Alexandra
Justa little tip, it is worth investing in another puck/clamp for the dovetail plate on the C11 and leaving it permanently on the C11 dovetail plate just in front of the ADM one you have on your mount.
Then when mounting the tube you can just put the dovetail plate into the ADM clamp and let it slide back to the new clamp, the new clamp will now rest against the ADM one on the mount and take the weight of the tube allowing you to use one hand to tighten the ADM clamp screws whilst steading the tube with your other hand.
And of course if the new clamp is in the correct place on the dovetail you tube will be in balance right away

I hope this makes sense
Cheers Rod

Oops forgot to say brilliant pictures
Rod

Very well imaged granulation, Alexandra. I purchased a 3.8 filter for my Mewlon 210 with the same purpose in mind (there is not much to image than granulation...).

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, all noted

Alexandra

Congratulations on these first up images - they are fantastic! Looking forward to your adventures!

Brilliant! I'm glad you got things up and running.