Focusing sun through cloud ? 90mm refractor

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Radon86
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Focusing sun through cloud ? 90mm refractor

Post by Radon86 »

Hi,
I was testing my 90mm F10 refractor (D=90mm, F=900mm, refractor achromat) today, and I tried White light with a Baader filter first of all.
There was quite a lot of cloud but there was "sunshine" and I could get reasonable focus of sunspots and the limb (focus at 43mm + diagonal)
I then switched to H-alpha (Quark chromosphere eyepiece filter) and although focus was near, I did not get the limb really focused or surface details or proms. I tried various combinations of extension tubes and diagonals.

Should I wait until the sun is free of cloud or should I be getting reasonable surface detail and limb focus despite the cloud ?

Many thanks.
Magnus


Solar: H-alpha": Quark Chromosphere filter; Baader white light filters
Scopes: Altair Astro Travel ED70mm (F 420mm, D=70mm);; Skywatcher 90mm (F 910mm D=90mm); GSO focuser;;Altair Astro 60mm guidescope (D=60mm,F=225mm)
Cameras: ASI120mm-S,ASI174mm
Mount: SW HEQ5 Pro, SW EQ3 Pro Synscan (SW = Skywatcher),Vixen Polarie tracker (portable setup)
Accessory: SW Auto-focuser
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marktownley
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Re: Focusing sun through cloud ? 90mm refractor

Post by marktownley »

Hi Magnus

Yes, with the Quark wait until there is no cloud. Don't forget the 4,3x amplification on the quark with that scope means you are working at f43.

MArk


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Re: Focusing sun through cloud ? 90mm refractor

Post by Radon86 »

Thanks Mark,

The cloud has now completely blocked the sky now, so I will try again later this week or Sunday.

Magnus


Solar: H-alpha": Quark Chromosphere filter; Baader white light filters
Scopes: Altair Astro Travel ED70mm (F 420mm, D=70mm);; Skywatcher 90mm (F 910mm D=90mm); GSO focuser;;Altair Astro 60mm guidescope (D=60mm,F=225mm)
Cameras: ASI120mm-S,ASI174mm
Mount: SW HEQ5 Pro, SW EQ3 Pro Synscan (SW = Skywatcher),Vixen Polarie tracker (portable setup)
Accessory: SW Auto-focuser
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Re: Focusing sun through cloud ? 90mm refractor

Post by MAURITS »

Magnus, I wait always on a cloud free sun.


Regards,
Maurits

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