Category: Michael Dean After Dark

Seeing a computer in the Sun for solar astrophotography (computer screen headset)

I’m surprised everyone doesn’t use headset monitors for solar lucky imaging.

It solves a lot of problems, plus allows you to really SEE the Sun well, instead of squinting at a laptop in a box in the bright Sun like most people.

I use these computer screen googles to mirror my laptop monitor (put them on 2D not 3D)

They didn’t work on my older laptop but they were plug and play (mirroring screen) with this 14 inch dell laptop that cost me 260 bucks renewed with warranty, and it was fast enough to capture solar video for this.

You need a computer that can support DisplayPort or Alt Mode. And you need a USB that supports that too. USB C both ends (computer needs that too, not sure if an adapter would work but it might?) that can support DisplayPort or Alt Mode (search both in listing). Or just get this USB cable. I did. I used these (any length on this page should have it, check description for DisplayPort to make sure it hasn’t changed)

I used this little 30 dollar laptop sunscreen to hold the laptop, for when I had to peek out at it. (Cats love it too!, when not in use for laptop)

I used Player One Neptune-M camera on Lunt 40 mm solar scope with BF1200. on  Sky-Watcher SolarQuest Mount which JUST WORKS!

If you have HDMI on your computer, scroll down for the better goggles.

Here’s what I shot on my 3rd day ever of solar shooting.


This headset has no camera, so I recommend not putting it on until you’re seated, and stay seated until you’re done. At least don’t try to walk wearing it.

BETTER GOGGLES THAT COST A LITTLE MORE, THAT I GOT LATER: that use HMDI, NOT USB C (not me, this image is from Amazon):

Main thing to note: With the headset goggles on you’re basically a blind person outside of the goggles. I almost fell a few times my first few times with them, and almost knocked over my small solar mount.

I basically prop them up on my face a little so I can see a little out the bottom. I use that to see where I’m walking, and had to learn to focus my scope and tune the tilt etalon without looking at it. I look out the bottom of the scope at my phone to control my big mount on the larger scope.

Oh, a tip for everyone: even if you don’t output inverted, if you hit the invert button on the seeing histogram (bottom right) in SharpCap, it’s easier to focus the scope accurately if you’re doing it by eye, regardless if you have your fingers on the scope focuser, or are using a ZWO EAF hand controller like I’m doing.

Solar Ruler improved – Photoshop download included

DOWNLOAD ZIPPED PHOTOSHOP FILE: (updated Dec 3, 2025) 

I made an updated version of the old Guy Buhry Solar Ruler design.

I put the the concentric lines on Photoshop layers, so you can turn off the measuring lines you don’t need.
I also translated from French to English.

I never liked that the concentric rings were all there even if using a shot with short proms. It made it look like the proms were underwhelming, even when they’re awesome.

So I made it into Photoshop layers, so you can turn off the measuring lines you don’t need. Will share Photoshop file in first comment.

Note: you want the Sun circle to be on the sun itself, not the “atmosphere” of the Sun. It’s done correctly in the first image aboe (I did it), and incorrectly in the second image above, lol (I didn’t do it, but left it for an example)

I also translated this from French to English. Feel free to translate for your local language.

I’m sure someone won’t like that, but: English is the Universal language of science. Because, while it’s the 4th most common first language, it’s by far the most common SECOND language, so most people can understand it.
So it should either be in your local language (feel free), or in English, or in about 100 languages. lol

The test images here are NASA for the long proms and Dominique Gering for the short prom pic.

FLAC LOSSLESS 24-bit torrent of “PINK ETERNITY” – Albums 113, and 114 from BipTunia. LISTEN FREE

–>GET TORRENT MAGNET LINK HERE<–

BipTunia album FLACs are each one continuous file to preserve the flow of the carefully crafted sequencing and cross-fading that make each BipTunia album work as a piece. They are created to be listened to in one sitting, but of course, you can listen however you like.

This torrent also has a folder with all the individual sections as MP3s.
Also includes lyrics, artwork, and torrents of all previous BipTunia albums in lossless FLAC.
If you need a torrent program, we use and recommend qBittorrent.

Preview the album here.

CREDITS
All writing, playing, engineering, production, mixing, and mastering by Michael W. Dean.

Get pastable BipTunia street art, PDF download

Q. What kind of music is it?

Space Rock, Synthwave, Industrial, Microtonal, Ambient, Synth Punk, Downtempo, Trip-Hop, Minimalism, Experimental Electronic, Minimal, Deep Tech, and none of the above.

BipTunia appeals to fans of Gary Numan, Brian Eno, Aphex Twin, Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream, Captain Beefheart, The Residents, Kraftwerk, Frank Zappa, Sonic Youth.