Scientists will often tell you that now is the most exciting time for a particular interest. We
will always have just discovered or invented something that will revolutionize something or the
other. The computer on which I am typing this for example is four times faster than its
predecessor and slightly cheaper. However the last decade or so has seen some advances that
have changed the face of amateur solar astronomy. Professional researchers have been using many
of the tools and techniques for years but now they are available to amateurs as well. The use
of digital photography and computers has changed all astronomy not just amateur solar
astronomy and it has certainly made a lot more techniques available for photographing the Sun.
Secondly the use of white light solar filters has improved the detail that can be seen on the
solar surface. In the past the only technique that was available was projection onto a piece
of white paper or card. Thirdly the use of hydrogen alpha filters has recently hit the
affordability barrier of $500 or £500 for many amateur astronomers. The Coronado Personal Solar
Telescope (PST) is a real breakthrough product that has now brought a fascinating branch of
astronomy within the reach of many people. In recent months the same technique has been
applied to calcium K filters.
