spotted spots! (Bradford)

Powered up the Celestron CGEM. Without doing a full alignment, I wondered if it would track at sidereal rate. No matter. Once I manually eyeballed the target, at least I could use the hand controller to slew and nudge.

Except that one axis stopped working. Weird.

Instrument: Celestron 8-inch SCT
Mount: Celestron CGEM
Method: Go To

Could not focus. Removed the focuser.

Finally got it.

Viewed the Sun. Spots! Wow.

Offered views for Rhonda and Bree. But I was not sure if they understood the view. It was challenging with the tree leaves. The dirty eyepiece didn't help. I promised a better view on Saturday.

I was surprised to see lots of sunspots!

Simulated view using NASA imagery.

Spot 2599 was big! I saw 2600 on the edge. Noted 2598 as well but did not review it closely.