Sunspots in Todays Fog

While we sit 'ere chatting over a hot cuppa, I'll pass round a picture I took toady taking advantage of a 'fog filter' to let me snap the sun.

Not enough detail to stack automatically, so these are done manually - the technique is simple: Paste an image over the first one and set its transparency to 50%, then line it up.

Before combining all the images the transparency (starting from the bottom) has to be set to 100/n (i.e. 100, 50, 33, 25...) so each image contributes the same amount to the final result. After 26 frames it is a bit mind-numbing.

Naturally a touch of sharpening and tweaking of the levels/colour for the final result. You shoudl be able to see three 'active regions'.

Should that not be a Frog filter if you took the Toady?

Interesting picture, Neil

... but why is it here, not in Related Hobbies ?

" Many other hobbies go hand in hand with model engineering. Use this topic to discuss anything from astronomy to robotics. "

... are we to expect further topic-shuffling ?

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 01/11/2015 17:17:39

'tis now

'tisn't. I just looked back at it and though 'odd I though I put that in Tea Room' and moved it back without reading further!

I was hoping to raise a little chat in the tea room - hence my first line. I thought it might be of wider interest given the blanket of fog across most of the UK today and tomorrow!

Doesn't really matter which it's in - this is a forum not a taxonomy class

Certainly not a ping-pong club although beginning to get like one...

Fog? I actually put sun screen on just in case and had to squint to avoid the glare from the white painted bricks I was scraping down. And no wind, just crazy. Some fog did roll up the valley about 4pm but took pity on me and retreated.

Same hear, lovely clear day from when I got up, got quiet hot in the workshop this afternoon.

Hottest November day ever in Trawscoed. Apparently the previous record was Prestatyn in 1949.

Not so in the Trent Valley. Just went to the Coop to top up on bread, dog food and Hobgoblin, visibility is down below 50 metres in some places.

Neil

Interesting picture Neil, first time I've seen Sunspot photos apart from on TV progs, what is a fog filter?

Watching the recent posts regarding photos in the night sky has raised my interest level, must get out with my SLR and tripod to see how it all works out.

Did see a very large orangey coloured moon yesterday evening just as it was rising over the trees, unfortunately I was travelling on the M40 so could not do anything photography wise.

I wanted to make sure that I don't run over amphibians by accident, so I fitted frog lights and a toad bar.

.

O.K.

I don't drink Tea anyway.

MichaelG.

Sunny and clear here in s. brum too. Went to Redditch to get some paint from B&Q and had to use the sun visors in the car several time to see where I was going. Temperature 17C well out of the town.

I've never tried taking photo's of the sun. Only projection. What size lens / scope Neil ?

John

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nah...dont be taken in, Neil just hasnt cleaned his lens this week!

John w1, the most important bit is the solar filter on the front of the telephoto lens.

Note that it should be on the front, not the camera end. i.e. before the sun's rays have been concentrated by the lens.

This is a good place to start looking; **LINK**

Peak4, Sir Patrick Moore specifically warned against using solar filters on telescopes. If they fall off you get the full blast of heat and light, and will fry your eyeball.

Cameras should be OK in fog, as the light is dispersed as if using a neutral density filter, as is the heat. You may have to adjust the exposure value, and beware of condensation on the lens.

Geoff

I have enormous respect for the late Sir Patrick but, frankly, just make sure that your solar filter doesn't fall off!

Mine don't:

Made from this stuff

Always wise to check for pin holes before use and to keep it in a suitable container (the biscuits were lovely).

Rod

Since the day's of Sir P's warning solar film has become available that is much more reliable and , unlike glass filters, won't crack with thermal shock. You still have to be very careful to ensure it can't fall off and that the finder scope is filtered or just covered as well.

But all my solar photos are taken courtesy of fog/low cloud - if you can look at the sun's disc comfortably without blinking, you can photograph it.

Neil

I've done no better with my filters than you have with your natural one!

Rod

Looks like a bit of dirt on your lens !

I have an unused 10" solar filter. It came with a newtonian I bought a long time ago. Meade. 2ndy mirror too small to use the entire main mirror even on axis and something of a mistake in 2ndry position calculations. I intend to get on making a slightly slower mirror and use some of the bits from it at some point.

I was just curious what lens / telescope Neil used?

John

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