My first photo of the sun!

[Kasun Somaratne]

I've been observing the sun for quite a time, but this is the first time I got a picture of it. I was using my binoculars (20X50) with a home-made Baader Solar filter. I took this photo by holding a digital camera closer to one of the eye pieces of my binoculars, which is not by far the best way to take Astrophotoes. Unfortunately there were no sunspots visible. Since it is one of my first Astrophotographs I decided to put it up.
Sunspots can be seen from time to time on the sun's disk. Some sunspots can even be larger than two three times the Earth. Usually you can see them in groups. What intrigues me most about sunspots is that if you keep observing them then you would see that they move around the Sun's disk. This is the only way for us (beginner Astronomers) to witness the rotation of the sun.

However since I am posting this I think it's my resposibility to inform whoever is reading this that observing the Sun can be Dangerous if done without great care. It is not at all good to photograph or view the sun directly without proper solar filters. Also make sure that the Solar filters are in good quality and that the telescope is properly set up. If done with care Solar observing can be very intriguing!

[Trish]

Great Job Kasun !!!

Thanks for sharing your photo.