Imaging various components of our solar system in high resolution requires a completely different skill set than deep sky imaging. Instead of exposures totaling dozens of hours over weeks/months, the exposures for solar and planetary imaging are typically not more than a couple of minutes in duration (short videos containing thousands of frames, obtained via webcams). The greatest single factor determining final image quality is atmospheric steadiness (also known as “seeing”).

These solar images were taken during 2016 with a Lunt 80mm Ha scope (BF 1800) and ZWO 1600 mono/uncooled camera. Processing was with AutoStakkert, Registax, and Photoshop. Solar/sky colorization were added for aesthetic purposes.

Please click the link to the solar eclipse gallery as well!