how to take picture of the Sun?

[Bubble]

anyone in here use the Coronado SolarMax 40 H-alpha Solar Telescope yet? beside the Coronado SolarMax, is there an alternative for me to view the sun and take picture of it?

[Nighthound]

I haven't use the Solarmax 40 but I have used the Coronado PST. If it's surface detail edge to edge you're after the Coronado line(h-alpha) delivers amazing views and imaging opportunity. Solar filters are available for standard telescopes as well. Coronado makes an H-alpha filter for 60mm scopes. You DO NOT want to view or photograph the Sun without proper filtration. Permanent eye damage can occur in seconds by doing so and you risk damage to your optics and camera as well.

Here's a shot I took using the Coronado PST and a Nikon 4300(4mgpix) camera attached to the telescope eyepiece with a Digi-T adapter system.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Astrophotography/sunjbmethod.jpg

[black_z]

I took a shot of the sun a while back and it looked NOTHING like that! :( Solar flare is what I was wanting to see, but didn't get any.


400mm + 2x TC + 1.4x TC
A couple ND filters
1/8000 and
Aperture was something crazy f 50 something and maybe even close to 100 or so

[Oneslowz28]

You can buy a solar filter (has to be one that fits over the objective end of your telescope) that only transmits .005% of the light coming from the sun. I had one for my 10" intelliscope but sold it shortly after to aid in the purchase of a new EP.

[hollis_f]

You can make your own filter using Baader Astrofilm (transmits 0.001% of light). I used some of that, sandwiched between two clear glass filters, to take this -

http://photos.imageevent.com/frankhollis/astropix/websize/sunspot.jpg

[Jeff]

Here's an example using the Baader Solar film on a Sigma 70-200. It normally goes on a 12x80 finderscope but found it fits on the Sigma too. I think the picture of the sun is a little overexposed.

[mellowd]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Astrophotography/sunjbmethod.jpg

That is awesome!

[Bubble]

after much considerate, i think i'll put aside this "taking Sun picture" aside. The proper equipment run around $1700. Don't know how many times i'll take sun picture to justify for the cost. :)

[Elphaba]

I have a Solarmax 40 and the Coronado eyepieces made for hydrogen alpha scopes. It has been a while since I worked with it, but here are 2 of my shots from a few years ago: #1 is just a prominence shot and #2 is a different day composite shot of the disk with prominences. It is a great little solar telescope... I just haven't used it much in the last 2 years due to solar minimum has seen the sun pretty dampened down in viewable solar activity. When I do use it, it piggybacks my 8 inch SCT that I set up to track the sun, because I also image the sun with a white light filter through the SCT.

[Juliana]

Well captured! You got some great images!I really like the action you caught in the second image.

[pendulum15]

lol, just don't point your 600 and a 2x straight at it :)

[Fawlcon]

I took a shot of the sun a while back and it looked NOTHING like that! :( Solar flare is what I was wanting to see, but didn't get any.


400mm + 2x TC + 1.4x TC
A couple ND filters
1/8000 and
Aperture was something crazy f 50 something and maybe even close to 100 or so

For flares etc. you'll need a Ha filter. Whitelight wont show them up :(

[PM01]

If you have a good Coronado, stick with it. Otherwise I'd go with Luntsolarsystems. Ever since Coronado was bought out by Meade, the QC has been a bit lacking.

[Karl Johnston]

I fear damaging my camera's sensor or my own vision.. I wouldn't know where to start learning about how to properly capture the sun as seen above. Those are great images.

I don't suppose a simple nd400 would be adequate protection from shooting the sun?

[BPL]

I haven't use the Solarmax 40 but I have used the Coronado PST. If it's surface detail edge to edge you're after the Coronado line(h-alpha) delivers amazing views and imaging opportunity. Solar filters are available for standard telescopes as well. Coronado makes an H-alpha filter for 60mm scopes. You DO NOT want to view or photograph the Sun without proper filtration. Permanent eye damage can occur in seconds by doing so and you risk damage to your optics and camera as well.

Here's a shot I took using the Coronado PST and a Nikon 4300(4mgpix) camera attached to the telescope eyepiece with a Digi-T adapter system.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Astrophotography/sunjbmethod.jpg

Incredible!

[PM01]

I fear damaging my camera's sensor or my own vision.. I wouldn't know where to start learning about how to properly capture the sun as seen above. Those are great images.

I don't suppose a simple nd400 would be adequate protection from shooting the sun?

I wouldn't try it. The infrared energy is more than enough to cook your eye and cause damage if viewed for extended sessions. Stick with a dedicated solar filter. You can try out the ones at Baader Planetarium - their solar film works great. Astro physics has them in stock.

http://www.astro-physics.com