Baader Solar Film

[John Crockatt]

I would be glad to have comments or experience of using the Baader Solar film for Solar observation.

John Crockatt

[David Galvin]

Hi John I can strongly recommend Baader solar film. It gives excellent resolution and good contrast. I have used it over the years and found it very pleasing when used visually or when imaging. The secret is to keep the film loose when you fix it into its  diy 'holder' and not taught as this will distort the image.
I should point out that you need to make sure that the filter holder is a firm fit on the scope and cannot fall or blow off in a wind.
http://www.baader-planetarium.com/sofifolie/bauanleitung_e.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiDheBRZrg0

[John Crockatt]

David,

I am sorry not to have come back to you sooner.  I got some Baader Solar film and made a filter for my 4" Skywatcher Refractor.   On March 8th I had my first chance of using it and was delighted to see my first sunspots.

Having made a drawing of them I went into my computer to see how it compared with any images I could find.  On one website I found a white light image whcih had, alonside each sunspot, a number, which I take to be the serial number of that sunspot.   So I put those numbers in my drawing.

Now comes my problem.   I cannot find that website again.   Tbere is an American site SOHO which gives numerous images showing sunspots, but no serial numbers.

If I Google for Sunspot numbers I get sites which tell how to calculate the number of sunspots, but not how to find the serial number of an individual sunspot.

I'd be grateful for any help about this.

John Crockatt

[John Crockatt]

David,

Sorry I bothered you.   I've found it.  It's in the SOHO site, but on the home page.   I had been looking in Archive.

SOHO seems to have just about anything a solar observer might want in the way of images.

Yours,

John