Try increasing gamma if dark sections aren't distinguished

Try increasing gamma if dark sections aren't distinguished

Monday, August 12, 2024

Solar maximum, AR 3780

 The sun was littered with sunspots this weekend leading some to claim we've reached the maximum of Solar Cycle 25.  

Sun full disk 8/9/2024 00:05 UTC
Ha Filter "detuned" to continuum.

Sun mosaic 8/9/2024 WL reduced to 33pct

One of these groupings was responsible for another major geomagnetic storm sunday night with aroras visible as far south as texas and arizona (it was cloudy here or my camera would have been out).  


Here's a close up of the largest group, AR 3780 a few days later.  The earth is about the size of the dark circle to the left.  

AR 3780
8/10/2024 23:08 UTC

More shots:

Sun full disk 8/9/2024 00:05 UTC
Ha Filter "detuned" to continuum
colorized


sun continuum v Ha
8/9/2024
00:00.1 UTC
80 pct


Sun full disk Ha exclusion
(central portion inverted)
8/9/2024
 00:00.1 UTC 


Image details:
Ha 
Lunt 60 PT B1200 
manual guiding with alt-azm mount
zwo ASI 174MM
20 second captures
best 20 pct
8/9/2024 00:00.1 to 00:05 UTC

disk:
FPS (avg.)=130
ROI=1936x1216
Shutter=0.032ms
Gain=351 (87%)
Histogram=78%

proms:
FPS (avg.)=106
ROI=1936x1216
Shutter=0.582ms
Gain=351 (87%)
Histogram=100%

detuned surface:
FPS (avg.)=106
ROI=1936x1216
Shutter=0.032ms
Gain=302 (75%)
Histogram=80%

Mosaic
celestron 11" Edge HD, no barlow
ZWO ASI174MM
Baader film, IR/UV block filter, baader solar continuum filter
8/8/2024 23:46-23:49 UTC
20 second captures
best 20 pct

FPS (avg.)=103
Shutter=0.473ms
Gain=380 (95%)
Histogram=89%

close up
celestron 11" Edge HD, no barlow
ZWO ASI290MM
Baader film, 850 nm IR pass filter
8/10/2024 23:08 UTC
ROI=800x800
Shutter=0.056ms
Gain=311 (51%)
Histogramm=91%


East Bluff, CA
generally poor seeing :(
worse on the 8th-9th