In preparation for the upcoming solar eclipse, I’ve gotten some new tools (toys).  I got a solar tracking mount that tracks the sun so I don’t have to try to set up my tracking mount (which needs a view of the stars to align) in the daytime.  And I got a solar filter for my telescope (this is not optional – eyeballs and optics can be destroyed without a proper solar filter).  Solar filters have been hard to come by – I’ve had one the correct size on order for months – and this one was too big.  But my awesome husband and his 3D printer came to the rescue!  He made me a spacer to go between the solar filter and the telescope.  It worked perfectly!

I tried a variety of settings for ISO and exposure length.  This particular shot at ISO 800 with a 1/400 second exposure had the best sun spots on this particular day. It seemed like settings where ISO * exposure >= 1 worked the best.

Camera geek info:

• Canon EOS 60D in manual mode, 1/400 second exposure, ISO 800
• Intervalometer
• Williams Optics Zenith Star 73 III APO telescope
• Williams Optics Flat 73A
• Thousand Oaks optical solar filter
• Sky-Watcher SolarQuest HelioFind tracking mount and tripod