June 23 solar chats,

[Thefatkitty]

I was on the road at 5:30AM today. Cloudy morning, but then at about 9AM it started to clear. From 10-11AM it was great, then it started to get cloudy again. I got in at about 1PM, and the skies saw me coming... I swear the minute I opened the truck door all hell broke loose rain wise!

Meanwhile, sometime today about 200KM's away, Mike was taking out the scope he built for me and giving it another run in so-so skies.

I was supposed to pick it up last weekend, but two things interfered: The cat went to the vets Friday and my wife needed the car Saturday. There goes my extra funds and even if I did have it, I don't have wheels... Not just clouds this time!

Mike sent the stacks he took with my scope... I say "my scope", but I'm worried that if I don't make it there this Sunday he'll just waive the rest of the coin and keep it ... I wouldn't blame him! BTW, these are with the stock 5mm PST BF:

With a 2X barlow:

A prom with "poor focus". I'd be ecstatic if this was my pic, and I'm so looking forward to seeing this stuff for myself, and when the pics do come from me I hope they're as good as Mikes. They should, he walked me through everything he does

Fathers day is this weekend on the day I hope to pick up the scope. My daughter Sarah said she's been saving to get me another tattoo I really want (solar system) for Father's day but asked if she could give me the money instead to get the scope. I didn't even know she was saving money for me. I mentioned this, and the dear child informed me that most of, if not all of the extra money I make (all cash) I just give to her so she can have some fun with her friends, but she'd like to show her appreciation for all that I do to simply give to her. 18 years old with a conscience

I said No worries Kiddo, some of it I do save for me and Mum; but what you have save it for yourself, I just need another paycheck under my belt and to keep making my lunch... Tomorrow is payday and I'm getting tired of bagels! Plus summer is not the best time to get more ink. We can do that on my birthday at the end of October, kinda like we did last year.

At least the girls support/tolerate me; I take that as a good thing. We'll see how long it lasts...

Clear skies and all the best,

[Graeme1858]

Fine images. You must really be looking forward to using that telescope!

Graeme

[Tillibobs]

wonderful images Mark, don't expect to get the same results straight off, it takes practice . TBH I'd rather have your new scope than a Quark.
Keith.
p.s. if you don't get yourself down to Mike I'm going to hop on a plane and smuggle it back to the UK.

[Lady Fraktor]

Some very nice images from Mike. Hopefully you will have the telescope home soon.
I hope furball is alright as well.

[messier 111]

Hi my friend ,
I could go get the telescope for you if you want, I could also see if it works well, this would take a few years lol.
nice pics, thx.

[Tillibobs]

Hi my friend ,
I could go get the telescope for you if you want, I could also see if it works well, this would take a few years lol.
nice pics, thx.

As I had my 82nd Birthday yesterday plus I've got stage 4 cancer that they've stopped trying to treat I fear that I don't have a few years left before my number comes up. In the meantime I can look forward to you and Mike imaging.
Keith.

[Solsearcher]

Hi my friend ,
I could go get the telescope for you if you want, I could also see if it works well, this would take a few years lol.
nice pics, thx.

As I had my 82nd Birthday yesterday plus I've got stage 4 cancer that they've stopped trying to treat I fear that I don't have a few years left before my number comes up. In the meantime I can look forward to you and Mike imaging.
Keith.

Hey Keith , we are looking forward to seeing your images again !! Did you look into the Rife information I sent you ? Less $$ than a good camera and cheaper than flying here to grab Marks scope Don't worry Mark we would likely get stuck in a pub anyway

[Thefatkitty]

Fine images. You must really be looking forward to using that telescope!

Graeme

Graeme, you have no idea how much! Being at Mike's place was the first time I'd ever gotten to use an HA scope and be allowed to touch the etalons. I'll never forget the transitions for what you could see being brought out. Also, this is a one off, and from what I've seen, a build from Mike is second to none!

wonderful images Mark, don't expect to get the same results straight off, it takes practice . TBH I'd rather have your new scope than a Quark.
Keith.
p.s. if you don't get yourself down to Mike I'm going to hop on a plane and smuggle it back to the UK.

Hey Keith, I hear you on the imaging. Mike makes it look easy.... I'll probably just use it for visual for the first couple of times just to get used to the etalon tuning; that's a new thing for me. And after that, we can all watch me struggle with imaging
Save the airfare, I'm going to see him this Sunday

Some very nice images from Mike. Hopefully you will have the telescope home soon.
I hope furball is alright as well.

I agree, the man knows what he's doing for sure! As for Sasha, it was a urinary tract infection. I know the signs so that was good, otherwise it would've costed more than it did. If we hadn't gotten her in on Friday I'd be paying off Mike in September at the earliest, and by then Keith would have smuggled it to the UK and I'd be back where I started... !!

Hi my friend ,
I could go get the telescope for you if you want, I could also see if it works well, this would take a few years lol.
nice pics, thx.

Merci pour l'offre mon ami, mais je pense que quelques années est trop longues pour moi... Although I am thinking of driving to near Ottawa for next years eclipse if you're interested in trying it out...

As I had my 82nd Birthday yesterday plus I've got stage 4 cancer that they've stopped trying to treat I fear that I don't have a few years left before my number comes up. In the meantime I can look forward to you and Mike imaging.
Keith.

Keith, I was so sorry to read that yesterday; I'd hoped you were on the mend. If there is anything I can do in any way possible please let me know.

Hi my friend ,
I could go get the telescope for you if you want, I could also see if it works well, this would take a few years lol.
nice pics, thx.

As I had my 82nd Birthday yesterday plus I've got stage 4 cancer that they've stopped trying to treat I fear that I don't have a few years left before my number comes up. In the meantime I can look forward to you and Mike imaging.
Keith.

Hey Keith , we are looking forward to seeing your images again !! Did you look into the Rife information I sent you ? Less $$ than a good camera and cheaper than flying here to grab Marks scope Don't worry Mark we would likely get stuck in a pub anyway

You and Keith in a pub? Nah, can't see that happening...

[Tillibobs]

Mike, I'm seeing an Oncologist next Wednesday and that's on my list to discuss.
Keith

[Gordon]

Since we are wrapping up the month of June pretty soon. I thought I would post a few more I captured recently.
Scope: ES80ed-cf
Mount: SkyWatcher EQ5pro
Camera: ZWO ASI174mm-c
Filter: Daystar Quark chromosphere.

Captured 6-21-2023

Captured 6-24-2023

[Graeme1858]

Very nice prominences Gordon.

Graeme

[Solsearcher]

Those are great shots Gordon , I love the detail you pulled out of the proms .
I have to ask why are you are not posting your images in Solar Images ?

[messier 111]

very nice take Gordon , thx .

[Gordon]

Those are great shots Gordon , I love the detail you pulled out of the proms .
I have to ask why are you are not posting your images in Solar Images ?

I'm just Lazy....

[Solsearcher]

Those are great shots Gordon , I love the detail you pulled out of the proms .
I have to ask why are you are not posting your images in Solar Images ?

I'm just Lazy....

LOL , I just wanted to make sure mine were going in the right place .

You are not lazy Gordon , none of us would be here if it were not for you setting this up and I thank you for that !!

[Lady Fraktor]

That is a great image Gordon!

[Tillibobs]

Gordon, you're afraid you'll win the daily comp if you were to enter it.
Question for you Gordon, Have you tried inverting the first image ? I bet that filament would blow your socks off.
Keith.

[Gordon]

You mean something like this?

[messier 111]

superb shot , thx .

[Tillibobs]

Yes Gordon, try to get a bit more contrast ( Mike's are good examples of what I mean )
Keith.