Solar projection

[Jnicholes]

Hi everyone,

I’ve not been on for a while, my telescope has been having a few problems and I’ve been trying to fix them. However, that’s not why I’m posting today.

I’m currently waiting for my new solar filter to arrive in the mail. I’ve read about solar projection a few times, and decided to try it out today. The results were outstanding!

Not bad for my first solar projection attempt. I had to flip and rotate the image.

I decided I’m going to do some solar projecting while I’m waiting for the solar filter to come in the mail. I actually have a question about it.

Judging from the picture, is there anything I can do better when solar projecting?

Jared

[notFritzArgelander]

The main thing is that you could better orient the projection screen so it is perpendicular to the optic axis perhaps? Or perhaps you were taking the picture of the screen off axis? Hard to tell without a diagram of the setup....

[messier 111]

very cool attempt , thx .

[Unitron48]

Agree with n-FA. Pics of your setup would be helpful. Nice capture though...sunspots appear to be bright and in focus.

Dave

[Thefatkitty]

Nicely done Jared! I agree with the others in that it seems to be a bit off axis, but other than that I like the detail you captured

I'm guessing you used your 80mm frac for that; you're gonna love the solar filter!

BTW, what problems are you having with your scope? Perhaps the collective on here could help...

All the best,

[Jnicholes]

Nicely done Jared! I agree with the others in that it seems to be a bit off axis, but other than that I like the detail you captured

I'm guessing you used your 80mm frac for that; you're gonna love the solar filter!

BTW, what problems are you having with your scope? Perhaps the collective on here could help...

All the best,

Well, it’s just alignment issues. For some reason, it won’t align properly no matter what I do. I’m waiting for clear skies to test a theory I have about it.

Yes, I did use the 80mm refractor.

Skies are cloudy right now, but I will get a picture of my set up when I do my next solar viewing. I will admit right now that the angle of my phone made it seem off axis a little bit. It was not off axis when I was looking at it.

[Jnicholes]

Here’s another picture from the same day. My phones angle was a lot better in this picture.

[Bigzmey]

Here’s another picture from the same day. My phones angle was a lot better in this picture.

Looks good! This is as much as you can expect from projection.

[Gordon]

Congratulations Jared on having your image selected as todays TSS APOD!

app.php/article/4-21-2022-tss-astrophot ... of-the-day

[Makuser]

Hi Jared. A nice pair of solar projection images. I like the more on axis second capture. Thanks for sharing this work with us Jared and congratulations on receiving the TSS APOD Award today.

[Jnicholes]

Thanks for the award! I appreciate it!

Thank you also for the input on projecting. I really appreciate it.

I would do more solar projections today, but clouds rolled in and the wind is really strong.

Maybe I’ll use this time to diagnose my telescopes issue….

[notFritzArgelander]

Well the on axis image doesn't show any issues. I know there were mount issues in the past. What issues bother you?

[Lady Fraktor]

The only thing I would say is to project onto a nice white paper, we used to do this a lot when growing up.
Always a fun thing to show people.

[Jnicholes]

Well the on axis image doesn't show any issues. I know there were mount issues in the past. What issues bother you?

It’s actually complicated. You see, whenever I try to align the telescope, it doesn’t align properly.

Let’s say I try a two star align to Betelgeuse and Mizar, like in my last attempt. I align to those two stars, then I attempted to input the telescope to go to M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy. It misses entirely. In fact, it pointed close to the star Alkaid in my last attempt.

It was the same thing in January and February, when I tried to go to the Andromeda galaxy. I did a skyalign to Sirius, Betelgeuse, and Bellatrix. Sure, I went to the Orion nebula just fine. However, the telescope would not go to anything else successfully.

I really don’t know what the problem is. I’m trying to figure it out. I have some theories that need testing, but in order to test them, I need clear skies and minimal wind.

[BABOafrica]

Congrats on the award for your nice image.

BABO

[Lady Fraktor]

You could purchase or make something like this to get things aligned.
https://global.vixen.co.jp/en/product/37223_2/

[goldstar]

Nice projection Jared!
It's something I should try again. I am just mustering the courage because when I last did this was 55 years ago with a 12" reflector through a cemented orthoscopic EP. Smoking baby!
An expensive lesson learned by a young lad who knew no different.....

[Jnicholes]

You could purchase or make something like this to get things aligned.
https://global.vixen.co.jp/en/product/37223_2/

Thanks, but the mount finally broke this morning. Turns out it was a severe electrical issue that just got worse. The mount is fried.

I need a new telescope.

[notFritzArgelander]

You could purchase or make something like this to get things aligned.
https://global.vixen.co.jp/en/product/37223_2/

Thanks, but the mount finally broke this morning. Turns out it was a severe electrical issue that just got worse. The mount is fried.

I need a new telescope.

Sorry to hear.