Solar imaging continued updates

[davenn]

further to the older thread from last year
https://www.electronicspoint.com/threads/solar-astronomy-taken-to-a-new-level-for-me.286413/

some new updates
Imaging has been going well
I am now using my decent tracking mount, the HEQ5 PRO, that has been sitting idle since I bought it a year or so ago
it's so much easier controlling the mount and scope with the computerised hand controller
Using the camera tripod was just becoming a real hassle when doing imaging



Yesterday, Sat 21 Jan, saw "First Light" for my new imaging camera. A ZWO ASI 1600MM. Everyone on the various astro imaging forums were telling me I really need a monochrome rather than a colour camera as it will result in better images, showing finer details. ...... They were not wrong !!

This was my initial camera .....ZWO ASI 178MC
https://www.bintel.com.au/product/zwo-asi178mc/

a link to the new one ......
https://www.bintel.com.au/product/zwo-asi1600mm-monochrome/

A huge 16MP monochrome sensor

a couple of images ( taken sat 20 Jan 2018) showing the difference between the two ......

ASI178MC.....



ASIU1600MM




the difference in the details is plainly obvious

Sun 21 Jan and a huge prominence is visible ( it wasn't there yesterday) ASI 1600MM camera




and an active region close up .....




cheers
Dave

 

[hevans1944]

Nice bit of kit you have assembled there, Dave... and the photos are great!

 

[davenn]

Nice bit of kit you have assembled there, Dave... and the photos are great!

Thanks

I must do another pic of the imaging cam and laptop attached

It's a fun journey ... it's pretty cool seeing these features on the Sun and they can change hourly

 

[hevans1944]

As radio amateurs, the Sun plays an important role in our ability to communicate... at all wavelengths from DC to Light. There are several websites (for example, this one) that host an application that provides near real-time images of current sunspot activity as well as other important Sun-related parameters that affect electromagnetic wave propagation through the Earth's atmosphere. The Earth is literally immersed in a sea of interesting radiation and particle emission from the (so far) one and only practical and useful, gravity-confined, nuclear fusion reactor accessible to the human race. It's a shame we haven't done more to exploit it.

 

[davenn]

As radio amateurs, the Sun plays an important role in our ability to communicate... at all wavelengths from DC to Light. There are several websites (for example, this one) that host an application that provides near real-time images of current sunspot activity as well as other important Sun-related parameters that affect electromagnetic wave propagation through the Earth's atmosphere.

Indeed it does, when I was back in southern ZL, I used to do a lot of auroral backscatter on 6m and 2m.
Gosh, I haven't used QRZ.com for yonks

I save a number of solar images from this site on a daily basis .... I now have a huge database
https://umbra.nascom.nasa.gov/images/latest.html

I also use this site for aurora info/alerts
http://www.spaceweather.com/

Oct 2017, about a month after I got the Ha scope, I found out about this site ....
http://halpha.nso.edu/

I will usually go there first and see if there is any good prominences etc to view, before making
the effort to drag out the scope, mount, and laptop. It's an effort to set up, so I want to make sure
it will be worthwhile

and I have several email subscriptions that give me sunspot data and predictions
My solar activity interest goes back almost 50 years to when I first started observing aurora and viewing sunspots

Dave