How do I rate seeing conditions?

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rimcrazy
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How do I rate seeing conditions?

Post by rimcrazy »

I'm new to solar astrophotography. I see on this forum and others that when images have been taken that there is typically a rating on seeing conditions when the image was taken. With just a few solar images under my belt it is very easy to see just how important this is. That being said, I am curious to the standard or rating system used to determine the seeing conditions. Mind you I have done a number of searches on this site but I've not found the right key words or what ever to see if this has been posted before. I'm guessing it has but I cannot find it. Also I have done a number of searches and I have found the following resources on the subject:

Astronomical Seeing Parts 1-3. https://www.handprint.com/ASTRO/

How to measure seeing: https://shrtm.nu/BtXH

My problem is, while both of these are excellent resource they both cover the topic with respect to stars and not the sun for daytime solar seeing. I can infer a scale from a number of these articles but I would like to be "on the same page" as others on this forum and use the same rating system if that is possible.

Sorry for the noob question but couldn't find the answer on my own.


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Re: How do I rate seeing conditions?

Post by rigel123 »

There are a number of ways to evaluate seeing. You can always purchase this: https://optcorp.com/products/airylab-so ... on-monitor or, knowing your background, you could build one yourself, but you can also judge seeing visually. As a very general rule of thumb, on a scale of 1 - 5, 1 is the worst, the limb looks like a wave machine constantly, focus cannot be obtained, 2 there is a bit of wave, you can at least notice surface details but they go in and out of focus constantly, 3 focus can be easily achieved but details go in and out of focus, spicules can be noticed at times, 4 focus is easily obtained, spicules are easily seen and surface features are sharp most of the time, proms show nice details and 5 image is rock steady, spicules are sharp and easily seen, contrast is very high and you can see wispy details in proms that are sharp and steady.

There are some illustrations in Jamey Jenkins book "Observing the Sun: A Pocket Field Guide on page 116 that show how white light images can look at the different levels of seeing described in Arc Seconds. <1 Arc second the best, >5 Arc seconds, put your scope away!


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Re: How do I rate seeing conditions?

Post by rimcrazy »

Thanks Warren. I have an SSM. I was curious if there is a rating phrase attached to specific readings the SSM shows or do you just still see how things look. I've used my SSM a few times. I have a "hack" setup at the moment as my permeant piers are not in place so I change what is on my Lunt about every day. ;-). I had a PM from another person on CN and he mentioned this reference from the Mt. Wilson observatory. Looking at what you said and the scale below they are pretty much the same. I will look at the guide you mentioned.

https://shrtm.nu/N92C

Mt. Wilson Solar Seeing Scale:

1 = Solar image looks like a "Circular Saw Blade." Completely out of focus. Limb motion and resolution greater than 10 arcsec. Smaller sunspots will not be seen.
2 = Solar image is always fuzzy and out of focus. No sharp periods. Limb motion and resolution in the 5 to 10 arcsec range.

3 = Solar image about half the time sharp and half the time fuzzy. Some short periods where granulation is visible. Limb motion and resolution in the 3 arcsec range.

4 = Solar image more often sharp than not. Granulation almost always visible. Limb motion and resolution in the 1 to 2 arcsec range.

5 = Solar image looks like an "engraving." Extremely sharp and steady. Limb motion and resolution 1 arcsec or better.


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Re: How do I rate seeing conditions?

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Lacking an SSM I ascertain seeing based upon my personal experience and knowledge of my local seeing plus I use AstroSpheric to help me determine what my local seeing is at the time and what it is forecast to be. It's usually accurate or close.

https://www.astrospheric.com/?Latitude= ... 9049377441

Select Map layer on the right and from the drop down select seeing. It has a phone app as well as can be accessed on a computer.

James


AstroSpheric_Seeing.JPG
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Re: How do I rate seeing conditions?

Post by rimcrazy »

Oh that is a cool website James. Thanks. I will use that.


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Re: How do I rate seeing conditions?

Post by DeepSolar64 »

It will at least give you an idea of what the seeing is or should be.

JP

P.S. There are arrows or a slider bar to adjust the time on the seeing map.


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Re: How do I rate seeing conditions?

Post by rsfoto »

Hi,

Interesting question and I think everybody ask this to himself but does it help to know about how the seeing is ?

I really do not care about seeing values. The only thing I care about is, do I see the Sun or not and do I have enough time in case of sporadic clouds to take my needed videos.

While processing the videos I can see more or less the seeing I had and if I like what comes out I post my images here or not.

With time you will get experience in judging your seeing by eye and decide if you want to image or not.

IMHO the fun is in imaging and caring less about the seeing as you can not change the seeing at all and you have to live with it so IMHO make the best out of your hobby which is watching or imaging the Sun.

When I see blue sky or few clouds I open the roof, wait for 30 minutes or so if it is not cloudy, and if it is cloudy I start imaging right away after tuning the etalons which is getting the hot spot into the center.

Rainer

PD the more you image the more experience you get ...


regards Rainer

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Re: How do I rate seeing conditions?

Post by DeepSolar64 »

PD the more you image the more experience you get ... Rainer

This is one thing visual and imaging truly have in common.

JP


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Re: How do I rate seeing conditions?

Post by marktownley »

My seeing is bad when i'm not able to use a scope because the aperture is too great for the conditions and I have to scope down :lol:


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