Waiting For Clear Skys

[Darryl]

I have yet to try my Coronado PST since receiving it for Christmas. I have only looked through it once, when I used it at the local dealer a couple of weeks ago. I can't wait to see those solar prominences again. We all know the current weather is absolutely normal after receiving a new scope so I shouldn't be suprised.

[Darryl]

Well the wait is over. I finally got out this morning for about 45 minutes to do some solar observing before the cloud completely obscured the sun. We have had over 26 days of rain so it was a well deserved break in the weather.

It was my first time at home using the Coronado PST and even though some high cirrus was getting in the way of finer detail, I did manage to see one good size solar flare and a couple of smaller ones. There were also a couple of very small sunspots but anything on the face of the sun was lacking in detail, though there were a couple of moments of relatively clear seeing where the view became quite sharp and detailed.

I hope its not to long before I get a chance to do some more solar observing with my Coronado PST. The weather forecast for the next 5 days is...you guessed it...RAIN!

[The Mangler]

I've been thinking about getting one of thoes for a while now...
Is it the H-alpha or the Calcium-K model?

Let us know how it turns out once you get some good weather.

[Darryl]

Originally Posted by The Mangler

I've been thinking about getting one of those for a while now...
Is it the H-alpha or the Calcium-K model?

Let us know how it turns out once you get some good weather.

I have the H-Alpha Coronado PST. It really is spectacular to see the sun in that wavelength. I have also seen through the Calcium-K PST and the view isn't quite so wow. I think the Coronado PST Cak will benefit more from being used for Astrophotography than visual use.

I did get out a couple of weeks ago and there was a huge prominence floating off the surface of the sun. I keep wanting to say the words wow and amazing, but it truly is. It really gives a new perspective on that bright ball of light in our sky.

[sunofsky]

in cool areas of earth, this problem is a severe problem where "sun is rarely available", and ofcourse the observation of sun is much difficult, but darryl are doing that's greatly commendable.

sunil