Quintessence
Vendor
Reged: 06/03/07
Posts: 199
Loc: Austin, Texas
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I recently purchased a PST and started reading the CN Solar Forum. Some folks seem to be expressing disappointment in the visual performance of the PST or concern that the subtle quality of the visual image will be disappointing to newcomers. Quite frankly, my reaction has been the opposite. I'm amazed that such a compact and modestly priced instrument can show so much. I think that the PST has taken me across a threshold into an exciting new realm.
I can see a fair amount of surface detail ... at least enough to sense the Sun as a churning and changing world. But it is the dance of prominences around the limb that has delivered such a spellbinding thrill. I enjoy the delicate, just visible quality of these eruptions.
In this digitally-enhanced age, it's easy to forget that Nature mostly IS quite subtle. At night, I enjoy observing spiral galaxies. Early in my observing career, I had to abandon the notion that spiral arms of galaxies would wave conspicuously into view. For awhile I saw nothing but misty blobs, and I was disappointed. But when I truly stopped looking for the bright and conspicuous, the dark and subtle suddenly leaped into view. The spiral structure I sought had been hiding in the mist the whole time. It was a transforming experience. Immediately, I could could see the spiral faces of hundreds of galaxies.
Sometimes, seeing is more about expectations than equipment.
I cetainly would like to own a more powerful solar scope someday ... but in the meantime the humble PST has reminded me of the thrill I first experienced with my first little 60 mm refractor when I was a kid looking at Saturn for the first time.
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Half Hitch alt-az mount
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darkstar528
Postmaster
Reged: 03/06/07
Posts: 9264
Loc: Hodgenville, Kentucky, USA
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I found it the same, total WOWer!
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Blue skies,
Stephen "Darkstar" Ames
PST(#96038), VIXEN 8-24mm,CEMAX 2x Barlow, Thousand Oaks White Light Filter and a Meade Elec EP
BAA Member
My solar site:
http://seemysunspot.com
I now Twitter daily solar info, follow me at @I_am_darkstar
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Ralph Marantino
Postmaster
Reged: 05/01/05
Posts: 6389
Loc: Old Bridge, New Jersey
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welcome to the group and use it in good health 
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Lunt H-alpha LS100THa/B3400
Rockland Astronomy Club
Member BAA Solar Section
Central Appalachian Astronomy Club
Astronomical League
DSPST,PST & 70mm Coronado Cal K telescope.2.2A
Zeiss 2 inch prism diagonal&Zeiss Zoom EP
2inch APM Herschel Wedge in a 94mm F7 Brandon
14.5 inch f4.2 Starmaster Dob(Zambuto mirror)
TeleView Genisis SDF with 1000 Oaks Glass filter
Zeiss 63mm f13.5 refractor 1000 Oaks Glass filter
Itty Bitty Solar Radio Telescope.
LHRIES Lite Solar Spectrometer
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BYoesle
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/12/04
Posts: 3510
Loc: Washington USA
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Quote:
In this digitally-enhanced age, it's easy to forget that Nature mostly IS quite subtle... Sometimes, seeing is more about expectations than equipment... the humble PST has reminded me of the thrill I first experienced with my first little 60 mm refractor when I was a kid looking at Saturn for the first time.
Q -- You've captured the essence of the hobby for me right there in your eloquent post... So a big Thank You on Thanksgiving Day!
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Bob  diagonally parked in a parallel universe...
Your heart is free. Have the courage to follow it.
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LarryAlvarez
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/12/05
Posts: 3298
Loc: Texas
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Hey that's a snazzy looking mount for that new PST. It looks pretty cool. Glad to hear you've joined in on the Solar fun. As good as it is now just wait till you get to seem some spots. The excitement will be renewed all over again. Clear Skyz, LA 
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Quintessence
Vendor
Reged: 06/03/07
Posts: 199
Loc: Austin, Texas
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Thanks to all. There are some folks posting amazing images on this forum. I'm not sure if I will venture in that direction. I enjoy the subtle connection with other worlds created by visual observing. I am very much looking forward to the Sun becoming more active.
Perhaps we take the Sun as largely a "known" quantity these days ... but direct observation reminds us of its awesome and foreign nature. The Sun was first observed telescopically only about 400 years ago ... and it's true character has been appreciated for perhaps only 80 years. Yet, unless reminded, the Sun is regarded as mundane ... a commodity of sorts. In the discussion on global warming, for instance, solar radiation is regarded as a simple constant that can be plugged into an equation. The Sun is not seen by most people as being capable of activity and surprises.
What would Galileo (or the nobility that patronized him) have given for what we regard as a simple PST? Galileo changed the world with much less. My little PST has prompted me to show others the Sun. The enthusiasm in this forum is very apparent.
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Half Hitch alt-az mount
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smc89
Postmaster
Reged: 11/27/05
Posts: 5726
Loc: Northern Berks Co. PA
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That's great to hear because I only had my PST a short time and every chance I get to use it always wows me. Glad to have you on the forum!!!!
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Scott M.
Canon 40D, 50D & G9
Coronado PST
Stellarvue 80ED
Orion XT8I Dob.
Orion XT12I Dob.
Celestron 15x70
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Doug D.
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/23/05
Posts: 2496
Loc: Virginia
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Great post and so glad to hear your impressions expressed so passionately. The PST is an entre for most to a whole different viewing experience but we often hear more about problems and disappointment in this forum. Indeed some of the problems (e.g., rust) have been real (and very frustrating - to me as well) but a lot of the disappointment comes from unreasonable expectations, a lack of "patience" and as you suggest - a failure to appreciate the subtle.
Sounds like you are going to be hooked - start saving $s now..... 
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Hooville
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mypontiac
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/06/07
Posts: 1286
Loc: Austin, Tx.
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On my first light I found it interesting that I saw much surface detail as so many say this is not as pronounced with the PST.
I was able to see the 2 bright spots on the surface that have been photographed and posted recently.
Even my wife and 10 yr old daughter could see them.
Lots of nice proms to view too, yesterday.
Fun for me! 
Sean
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rumples riot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/01/04
Posts: 2923
Loc: South Australia
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Look out it gets addictive from here on in. I bought a PST, then the double stacker and now have the DS 60mm and I just know that I want a 4" tak with 0.4A daystar filter. Might buy this next year. Solar Ha is great. Glad you like your PST.
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EARTH AND COSMOS
How to peltier cool a C14 SCT
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