The Sun on Tuesday, 2005/02/15

[Dave Mitsky]

I had a look at the Sun on Tuesday afternoon with the help of my Coronado PST, a Vixen 8-24mm zoom eyepiece, and a 2x Ultima Barlowed 12mm CEMAX.

There was an impressive filament visible along with some lesser ones and a couple of noteworthy prominences on the leading limb. Several sunspots were also present with Sunspot 735 being the most prominent by far.

Dave Mitsky

[suntrack2]

Dave have you photo of your observation !, how was that sunspots, red,brown,black or of which colour !

[vet]

i envy you. the 'pst' is a wonder. 'whiltst' a child i had use of a 10" zeiss refractor and what they called a 'spectroheliograph'. the elderly owner had spent fortunes on this gear, the coronado 'pst' puts it to shame. i can think of few more enticing observations than the active sun---more dynamic than any deep-sky object, it's lure is 'action'---we all love that. and you may have a good night's sleep.

[Dave Mitsky]

Originally posted by suntrack2@Feb 17 2005, 12:30 PM
Dave have you photo of your observation !, how was that sunspots, red,brown,black or of which colour !
Due to the mechanical limitations of its design, the PST is not the best choice for solar imaging. I've tried taking a few afocal shots with my Canon 300D but they didn't turn out all that well.

Greg Piepol's image at http://www.spaceweather.com/swpod2005/17fe...b05/piepol1.jpg (http://www.spaceweather.com/swpod2005/17feb05/piepol1.jpg) from the next day was somewhat similar, except for its greater resolution and orange/yellow tonal balance, to what I saw on Wednesday.

Sunspots are black, whether they are seen in white light or the light of H-alpha.

Dave Mitsky

[Gneiss]

Originally posted by Dave Mitsky+Feb 18 2005, 09:45 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Dave Mitsky @ Feb 18 2005, 09:45 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-suntrack2@Feb 17 2005, 12:30 PM
Dave have you photo of your observation !, how was that sunspots, red,brown,black or of which colour !
Due to the mechanical limitations of its design, the PST is not the best choice for solar imaging. I've tried taking a few afocal shots with my Canon 300D but they didn't turn out all that well. [/b][/quote]
I have been finding the same thing; so far I have managed one rather poor image with my A70 - certainly not worthy of posting... To overcome this I have just ordered another ToUcam pro to build a dedicated imager.

I have also found that I can't focus using my particular Barlow, but then I don't really need to, it was just something I tried out of interest.

I have a question though...

Dave - I have noticed you use an 8 - 24 zoom, how does it perform with the PST? Are there any problems with this combination?

Above all, if I were to get one - when travelling would I regret not carting the rest of my eyepieces around with me?

[Dave Mitsky]

In answer to your question, the 8-24mm Vixen LV zoom ocular was a gift. Given the number of eyepieces that I own, I probably would never have bought one. Most zooms are optical compromises but a few are very good optically - the Pentax, 5-8mm Speers-WALER, and Tele Vue 3-6mm Nagler zooms being among that group. (I happen to own the Nagler zoom, which is quite unique.)

However, the 8-24mm Vixen zoom is so convenient when used with the PST that I don't mind its shortcomings. The views are quite good and I can carry the PST with eyepiece in place outside with one hand. To be sure, I use a number of other eyepieces with the PST including a 12mm CEMAX and a 7mm Nagler type 6. The Nagler produces great views when the seeing is steady. Images usually tend to break down in my PST at about 80x (5mm).

Dave Mitsky

[Gneiss]

I noticed that a TV 8-24 zoom is available which is really what prompted the qestion. I've seen it for £185... and the idea of sticking just the one eyepiece in the box rather appeals.

Is it worth a try?

[Dave Mitsky]

Both eyepieces are actually made by Vixen. The Tele Vue version has click stops at various focal lengths.

Well, it would be good if you try one before buying but I don't think you would be greatly disappointed with the Tele Vue zoom. My girl friend owns one, which she uses with her 80mm achromat and 6" Dobsonian.

Dave Mitsky