Driveway Sky
A Better Sun…
After yesterday’s unsatisfactory image of the Sun I set out to do it right today.
The conditions were about the same, the telescope and camera the same, but no clouds cutting short my time at the camera. I took a few video segments and processed these with AutoStakkert! to produce a stack of the best 900 frames out of 1800. The result is a much better image.
The image is more representative of what you see at the eyepiece, with somewhat more detail visible to the eye. These active sunspots have been the source of strong flares including at least one X class flare. The resulting CME’s have sparked displays of aurora over the last few days.
The equipment is capable of yet better images, but I would need better conditions than the poor seeing we usually get in Waikoloa. Perhaps load up the ‘scope and travel to higher ground.
A Busy Sun
Solar maximum is upon us and the Sun is a very busy place these days. To the delight of those of use who watch, a parade of large sunspots can be observed crossing the Earth facing side. These magnetic tangles have also been releasing flare after flare, sometimes causing strong araoras here on Earth.
It is cetianly worth the effort to drag the ‘scope into the driveway and take a look. Unfortunately the seeing at the house was poor this morning so the resulting photos are not as sharp as I would like…
Tropical Stargazing
LED Microscope Lights
I have owned this stereo microscope since I was a teenager. At first used for examining rocks and minerals in my collection, it has found many uses over the years, mostly used during assembly and inspection of various bits of electronic gear. It has been a workhorse microscope, well used, and well loved.
Despite this it bit me!
I know the feeling all too well, that little 60Hz nibble of 120Vac electrical power, a feeling anyone who has worked with electricity like I have recognizes instantly. Somewhere in this microscope 120Vac power is shorted to the frame.
Continue reading “LED Microscope Lights”Welcome Interference
As I sit typing away I have a slight interferece to deal with. Rasalhague is sleeping just above my keyboard.
He came for the scritching, then eventually fell asleep as I worked on a user manual.
Not much interference… Just push his tail under the monitor rather than in front of the screen. There is a soft paw to push out of the way if I need to type numerals at the top of the keyboard.
Ras is deep asleep, his paws twitching slightly as he wanders in an unknown dreamland. Chasing Geckoes about the house? Or running off the doves that frequent our lanai? I have only guesses.
Whatever his dreams I am sure it is more fun that configuration registers, control loop settings, and relay connections.
Awaiting Dark
Out of Place
Around this island the observant hiker will become attuned to various clues that give a view into the natural history or human history of the landscape.
One such clue is the presence of seashells, these are usually a giveaway of ancient Hawaiian occupation of a site or locality. The bleached and broken bits of shell a long lasting remant of meals harvested from the shoreline and brought to places well inland. Often found around lava tubes or water sources these shells let you know that others have passed here before.
An ʻopihi shell along a power line access road near Waikoloa? This is a bit unexpected. I have to stop and pick up this shell, pausing my trek to puzzle out this anomaly.
Continue reading “Out of Place”Cinnabar Mill
Mill Furnace
