Unusually Deep Solar Minimum (aka A Tale of Two Suns)
Anthony Ayiomamitis
Who stole the sunspots?! Where have they gone?!
As noted by Dr Phillips (SpaceWeather), "As of March 31st, there were
no sunspots on 78 of the year's 90 days (87%)." (see
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/01apr_deepsolarminimum.htm?list5796
) and this a continuation of 2008 where 266 days were characterized
without any sunspot activity (same reference).
For an interesting collage of two images spaced precisely four years
apart and which is a perfect representation of what is happening
(actually NOT happening) with Sol at this moment, I kindly direct you
to http://www.perseus.gr/Astro-Solar-Scenes-Deep-Minimum-2005-2009.htm
. More specifically, one of the two component images in the collage is
from July 5th, 2005 and which documents the sample rich activity which
is characteristic of the sun during non-minimum periods. The second
component image in the collage is from July 5th, 2009 and is most
characteristic of the blank sun which has become the norm and status
quo. Please remember to click on the hyperlinked image which really
brings the message forth in a higher analysis rendition of the same
result.
Some research suggests this lack of sunspot activity impacts the
levels of UV in our atmosphere and which in turn impact the
development of clouds. Certainly winters have been unusually severe
and it seems each and every winter manages to find a way to be worse
than the previous one.
Clear skies!
Anthony.
Chris.Bee
> Some research suggests this lack of sunspot activity impacts the
> levels of UV in our atmosphere.
It is certainly impacting the sales of overpriced H-alpha
telescopes! ;-)
No wonder there's a recession! :-)
Curtis Croulet
> telescopes! ;-)
How have you concluded that they're "overpriced?"
--
Curtis Croulet
Temecula, California
Ayiomamitis
Chris, there is a lot of truth to your statement! :-)
Anthony.
Thad Floryan
> [...]
> For an interesting collage of two images spaced precisely four years
> apart and which is a perfect representation of what is happening
> (actually NOT happening) with Sol at this moment, I kindly direct you
> to http://www.perseus.gr/Astro-Solar-Scenes-Deep-Minimum-2005-2009.htm
> . More specifically, one of the two component images in the collage is
> from July 5th, 2005 and which documents the sample rich activity which
> is characteristic of the sun during non-minimum periods. The second
> component image in the collage is from July 5th, 2009 and is most
> characteristic of the blank sun which has become the norm and status
> quo. Please remember to click on the hyperlinked image which really
> brings the message forth in a higher analysis rendition of the same
> result.
>
> Some research suggests this lack of sunspot activity impacts the
> levels of UV in our atmosphere and which in turn impact the
> development of clouds. Certainly winters have been unusually severe
> and it seems each and every winter manages to find a way to be worse
> than the previous one.
Thank you for the above info; it provides (some) corroboration to my
claim the skies have dramatically worsened here (Silicon Valley) over
the past 4-5 years (after some 40+ years of good skies for telescope
use).
Chris.Bee
wrote:
A: Anything larger than an undersized finder is unaffordable.
B: I live in Europe where prices are .. er.. astronomical.
C: Danish dealer offers the PST at 6641 Kroner or 888 Euro =~ $1245 US
at today's currency exchange rate!
D: British Dealer offers the PST at £500GB = $815 US but Meade wont
let them sell to me in DK anyway.
E: The PST costs ~$500 in the US which is pocket change by European
standards.
F: $500 US = £306 GB = 2662 DKK = 357 Euro at today's exchange rates.
Martin Brown
> On Jul 5, 8:35 pm, "Curtis Croulet" <calypte@**NO**SPAM**verizon.net>
> wrote:
>>> It is certainly impacting the sales of overpriced H-alpha
>>> telescopes! ;-)
>> How have you concluded that they're "overpriced?"
>
> A: Anything larger than an undersized finder is unaffordable.
You can get 2A filters for basic prominence observation for less. The
0.7A filters that show solar disk detail are more expensive.
Compared to the price of the old stack of magic thicknesses of quatrz
and icelandspar and a custom temperature controlled oven the new kit is
astonishingly cheap and easy to use.
>
> B: I live in Europe where prices are .. er.. astronomical.
>
> C: Danish dealer offers the PST at 6641 Kroner or 888 Euro =~ $1245 US
> at today's currency exchange rate!
>
> D: British Dealer offers the PST at �500GB = $815 US but Meade wont
> let them sell to me in DK anyway.
That's not a problem. Go to the next AstroFest in London on a cheap
flight and you will still have change from the Danish price. That is
what I did when I lived in Belgium. No extra taxes inside the EU.
>
> E: The PST costs ~$500 in the US which is pocket change by European
> standards.
The exchange rate for hitech gear is unfortunately $1 = �1 GBP.
>
> F: $500 US = �306 GB = 2662 DKK = 357 Euro at today's exchange rates.
Cheap flights to America might make that the cheaper option. Again try
to take in a Shuttle Launch, Star Party or the Smithsonian. You would
have to pay VAT on bring it into the EU.
Regards,
Martin Brown
Chris.Bee
wrote:
>
> You can get 2A filters for basic prominence observation for less. The
> 0.7A filters that show solar disk detail are more expensive.
>
> Compared to the price of the old stack of magic thicknesses of quatrz
> and icelandspar and a custom temperature controlled oven the new kit is
> astonishingly cheap and easy to use.
>
> flight and you will still have change from the Danish price. That is
> what I did when I lived in Belgium. No extra taxes inside the EU.
>
>
> to take in a Shuttle Launch, Star Party or the Smithsonian. You would
> have to pay VAT on bring it into the EU.
>
> Regards,
> Martin Brown
Thanks, Martin.
I've had some recent experience where some US sourced goods were
replaced free of charge but without freight or taxes paid. The
generous deal ended up costing me more than the US retail price of
$400. This despite my opting for the much cheaper airport collection
service rather than door-to-door delivery. Europe and America getting
together on a tariff free trade deal could kick start the recession
into a very bad memory. Real jobs and new toys all round without more
massive subsidies to the wasters who have dropped us in this mess! How
much longer before "buying online" means exactly what it says?
Ayiomamitis
Chris,
Any sort of free-trade agreement between the US and the EU would mean
very little since the tax and duty on American telescope equipment is
around 4.5%. The real difference kicks in due to the VAT and which
adds another 20% or so into the final price and which is based on the
item being purchased PLUS the shipping/insurance charges.
While we are talking about the PST, there are some serious deals on
Astromart for around $300 (or just over 200 euro).
Anthony.
Pierre Vandevenne
> While we are talking about the PST, there are some serious deals on
> Astromart for around $300 (or just over 200 euro).
Couldn't that be, at least to some extent, to the "rusting" problem?
wsne...@hotmail.com
60% of new seems like a fair price for most types of used equipment,
in good condition.
(Rust? Hey, nothing that a good sanding and a few coats of paint won't
fix! <evil grin> )
Curtis Croulet
>
> B: I live in Europe where prices are .. er.. astronomical.
>
> C: Danish dealer offers the PST at 6641 Kroner or 888 Euro =~ $1245 US
> at today's currency exchange rate!
>
> D: British Dealer offers the PST at �500GB = $815 US but Meade wont
> let them sell to me in DK anyway.
>
> E: The PST costs ~$500 in the US which is pocket change by European
> standards.
>
> F: $500 US = �306 GB = 2662 DKK = 357 Euro at today's exchange rates.
So, this isn't an "overpriced" problem. It's a European and, perhaps, a
currency problem. Maybe your own government is taking a tariff bite, and
you're probably paying VAT, too. Many American amateurs consider $500 for
the PST to be quite reasonable. Before the Coronado scopes came along, the
only available H-alpha solar filters for amateur use were many thousands of
$$. Even the $1600 SolarMax 40 (that's what I have) was a major price
breakthrough compared to what had been previously available.
Ayiomamitis
Pierre,
As far as I know, the rusting problem is restricted to the blocking
filter and, as such, it could affect any product from the Coronado
line. It is my understanding that the rusting problem is common with
the older production units (poor sealing) and which has since been
resolved.
I mention the above on the basis of my experience with an SM40/BF10/
TMax combo I had and where the BF10 did "rust", thus making the views
very dim and with very little detail. I was quite fortunate to JUST be
within the five-yr warranty period and Meade-Europe was very quick to
replace the BF10 with a brand new unit.
Anthony.