Search found 29 matches

by Macavity
Sat May 19, 2018 6:25 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Newton Rings and CCD Fringing
Replies: 4
Views: 4176

Re: Newton Rings and CCD Fringing

Like many Solarites, I started with a Lunt50/B600 (f/7.5) + ZWO ASI120MM! The latter a "Fine Thing" but (as often noted) producer of Newton's Rings? Below a slightly "unsharp-masked" single frame from then typical video! :P sharp000.jpeg A 2x Barlowed (f/15) image with Lunt50 / A...
by Macavity
Sun Apr 29, 2018 11:15 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solar ERF for LUNAR imaging? :D
Replies: 4
Views: 3936

Re: Solar ERF for LUNAR imaging? :D

Thanks Folks! Indeed, some splendid images there, Christian! :)

Along with testing the ERF (and the rest of the Frankenscope system)
I will probably settle for a Baader IR-Cut as a "gentler" introduction...
While I establish relative sensitivity of my cameras for Lunar IR. :D
by Macavity
Wed Apr 25, 2018 12:07 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solar ERF for LUNAR imaging? :D
Replies: 4
Views: 3936

Solar ERF for LUNAR imaging? :D

Just as an off-beat idea, I wondered if anyone had tried using a solar ERF Filter for Lunar Imaging? I suspect some here may be secret Lunar Imagers as well? ;) In THEORY, it should work? The Baader ones are supposedly "optically flat" etc. Of course, there is the (usual) "tilt thing&...
by Macavity
Fri Apr 06, 2018 9:37 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Sun HA 5th April (Disks + Proms)
Replies: 8
Views: 1599

Re: Sun HA 5th April (Disks + Proms)

Excellent results with the Frankenscope. Definitely try sharpening the full disk at a smaller radius 1-1.3 pixels, looks like you're sharpening at 3+ pixel radius. Too large a radius hides finer detail. Thanks Mark! I will think on... I always LIKE the fellow "experimentalists"! :cool: St...
by Macavity
Thu Apr 05, 2018 5:01 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Sun HA 5th April (Disks + Proms)
Replies: 8
Views: 1599

Sun HA 5th April (Disks + Proms)

Current "status report" for the ED80 / Lunt50 "Frankenscope" Project? :D Switched to ImPPG for processing (as recommended!) & still twiddling: Typical Image via the *standard* Lunt50: FullComb.jpg Rest from Frankenscope: ED80 objective (Baader ERF) then ~ 2x Barlow (f-effecti...
by Macavity
Mon Mar 26, 2018 10:01 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: First Light ED80 / Lunt50 Frankenscope
Replies: 9
Views: 1679

Re: First Light ED80 / Lunt50 Frankenscope

Thanks Franco and Mark. Indeed (Mark) I should "tighten up" on processing. But I feel I am (finally!) happy enough with the hardware. I guess we have a fair while until the next Solar Max! :| I Enjoy your BLOG, by the way... In similar *ersatz* (lol) vein, I took a 1hr sequence of 1min ON ...
by Macavity
Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:38 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: First Light ED80 / Lunt50 Frankenscope
Replies: 9
Views: 1679

First Light ED80 / Lunt50 Frankenscope

After previous experiments with a stopped-down ST120 / Lunt50 Frankenscope, decided to try the lighter & better(?) ED80 OTA. ;) :!: N.B. As ever, only attempt to modify solar scopes as per the *Modifications* forum and noting remarks on eyeball safety etc. :arrow: IMG_0791.JPG Setup can STILL be...
by Macavity
Sat Mar 24, 2018 9:34 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Lunt 60 mod options??
Replies: 21
Views: 8209

Re: Lunt 60 mod options??

Some very useful (hard) information! Do you have similar data re. the standard Lunt 50 (pressure tuner)? I have to admit I now wonder if *abandoning* my 80mm ED Frankenscope project would be better... :P Originally based on a "stopped down" ST120 achromat, I sense (hope!) the ED80 objectiv...
by Macavity
Sat Mar 24, 2018 8:55 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Stephen Hawking
Replies: 4
Views: 1369

Re: Stephen Hawking

RIP Prof! Thanks for the pics of the great man too. Known for a (sometimes wicked) sense of humour, I note the first line of his Speech Synth screen ran: "Yes, No, Maybe, Don't Know... and Thanks". :cool: Maybe therein lies wisdom? (ISTR it worked quite well for some of my elderly (male) r...
by Macavity
Thu Mar 01, 2018 10:18 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Sunshine!!!!!
Replies: 30
Views: 5982

Re: Sunshine!!!!!

You have to enter into the SPIRIT of this one... But I did: :lol:
For a Cnn versus "EQ" mount it is an interesting technique?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwVg1M6bURI

:seesaw
by Macavity
Wed Feb 28, 2018 2:14 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Sun 28.02.18 (New Camera -- New beginnings?)
Replies: 4
Views: 1141

Re: Sun 28.02.18 (New Camera -- New beginnings?)

Thanks Alexandra! TBH, I'm not even sure I can even emulate the default sharpened output from AS!2... with Registax... :oops: ImPPG has a nice property that it can "highlight" different radial zones! ;) I suspect there might be a ED80 with "my name on it" eventually. I only have ...
by Macavity
Wed Feb 28, 2018 10:04 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Sun 28.02.18 (New Camera -- New beginnings?)
Replies: 4
Views: 1141

Sun 28.02.18 (New Camera -- New beginnings?)

Despite the excitement of a *working* Frankenscope, my images always seemed "somewhat lacking" (to me)! :lol: Part of the problem, a slightly "dodgy" (uneven pixels) DMK41 chip and the occasional Newtons Rings! :| The Camera is now replaced by the (so far) excellent Chameleon 3. ...
by Macavity
Mon Oct 16, 2017 9:06 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Show me your lunt solar mods
Replies: 4
Views: 4149

Re: Show me your lunt solar mods

Hi SB! :) There is e.g. a convenient EU source of 100mm Lunt ERF's at Teleskope Service (DE)? https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p2540_Lunt-LS100ERF---100-mm-Energy-rejection-filter.html There is a slight "flaring" of the ST120 lens cell to give a canonical 120mm. B...
by Macavity
Sat Oct 14, 2017 2:12 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Show me your lunt solar mods
Replies: 4
Views: 4149

Re: Show me your lunt solar mods

I have added a few practical details re. the making of my Lunt50 / SW ST120 86mm Frankenscope now. I acknowledge the ideas & encouragement of others! :) https://solarchatforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=23187 No skilled machinist *immediately* on hand here either. But sometimes easier to make a...
by Macavity
Sat Oct 14, 2017 2:01 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Frankencope Tests! (Apologies for absence)
Replies: 2
Views: 3540

Re: Frankencope Tests! (Apologies for absence)

To complete this quickly and to answer a question from another thread! (Adapted from other notes, so continuity / intelligibility not guaranteed!) :P Since the above I bought an ST120 (to reclaim my ST102 grab & go OTA!) The ST120 also maximizes the focal length for the Lunt BF600 and gives a bi...
by Macavity
Wed Aug 30, 2017 6:50 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: What does a "blocking filter" consist of... ?
Replies: 13
Views: 7278

Re: What does a "blocking filter" consist of... ?

Many Thanks, Bob! Mea Culpa! A certain amount of embarrassment to cover... :oops: In part mitigation, it may be not *totally* about an inability to "figure things out" but a mix of SI and "traditional" units on the diagram, which is at best hard to read? I genuinely "saw&quo...
by Macavity
Wed Aug 30, 2017 9:58 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: What does a "blocking filter" consist of... ?
Replies: 13
Views: 7278

What does a "blocking filter" consist of... ?

Bad English grammar maybe? :lol: But can I not MAKE my own? :cool: The *important* safety issues noted(!), I see the Lunt diagonals *appear* to consists of a 10^-5 IR block... A prism (obviously!) a SIX Angstrom H-Alpha Filter (the substrate of which seems?) to provide 10^-5 UV blocking... LuntPic.j...
by Macavity
Fri Aug 18, 2017 10:44 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Frankencope Tests! (Apologies for absence)
Replies: 2
Views: 3540

Frankencope Tests! (Apologies for absence)

Hi (again) Folks! (Throws HAT in) :) Apologies for absence! As often with Astronomy Forum activities, one cannot be "everywhere at once" (I notice welcome overlap!). But also perhaps one should have *something to say* as well? :P In the *interim* I have been producing "composite"...
by Macavity
Fri Mar 18, 2016 9:30 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Barlow-ing the Lunt LS50Tha?
Replies: 3
Views: 3493

Re: Barlow-ing the Lunt LS50Tha?

Thanks guys - Something to save me money is always good! :lol: I might explore the Telecentric possibilities for other stuff... Re. Cams, I am using a ZWO120MM. Unfortunately specifically with the Lunt LS50THa "backend", mounting the SW Barlow element before the diagonal just don't work......
by Macavity
Fri Mar 18, 2016 9:02 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: What colour do you think the sun should be?
Replies: 11
Views: 1357

Re: What colour do you think the sun should be?

I'm still "developing my ideas". But indeed interesting. I use GIMP for final processing, and (independently) struggled with e.g. "colorize" and setting HSV values. Then I found (stole) the ideas of using RGB curves... ;) Messing about (sic) with Deep Sky Video Astronomy I found ...
by Macavity
Thu Mar 17, 2016 10:52 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Surprising sunshine = Tal time!
Replies: 4
Views: 1067

Re: Surprising sunshine = Tal time!

Wonderful images. I do like these animations...
Reminds me of the old "iron filings on a card"?
But perhaps not such a bad analogy... :P
by Macavity
Wed Mar 16, 2016 4:41 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Variations in processing
Replies: 4
Views: 1000

Re: Variations in processing

Something does seem slightly awry with file uploading?
I had thought it just newbie me! E.g. I was getting:

"Temporary folder could not be found. Please check your PHP installation"?

HTH :cat
by Macavity
Wed Mar 16, 2016 12:51 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Barlow-ing the Lunt LS50Tha?
Replies: 3
Views: 3493

Barlow-ing the Lunt LS50Tha?

Flushed with (relative) success re. my Lunt LS50THa, I was wondering if it were possible to stretch things... Or more specifically, does anyone have a functioning Barlow method that works with the limited in-focus? :) I got some sort of image with a budget Skywatcher Barlow by detaching the front el...
by Macavity
Wed Mar 16, 2016 11:59 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Lunt LS50THa + ZWO ASI120MM (Solar Newbie Experience)
Replies: 6
Views: 4507

Re: Lunt LS50THa + ZWO ASI120MM (Solar Newbie Experience)

As a minor postscript. In the UK anyway, the Televue
"Sol Searcher" (Solar Finder) is on "back order" mostly?
I have learned that the threads on the clam shell are
10-32 UNF. I can now bolt on my own solar finder. :)
by Macavity
Wed Mar 16, 2016 10:33 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Lunt LS50THa + ZWO ASI120MM (Solar Newbie Experience)
Replies: 6
Views: 4507

Re: Lunt LS50THa + ZWO ASI120MM (Solar Newbie Experience)

Maybe that's it? For the moment, It starts to upload my images but complains about temporary storage space... or something? ;) Edit: More precisely... "Temporary folder could not be found. Please check your PHP installation"? Ah, the joy of computers? If in doubt, wait a while for it to FI...
by Macavity
Wed Mar 16, 2016 10:22 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Lunt LS50THa + ZWO ASI120MM (Solar Newbie Experience)
Replies: 6
Views: 4507

Lunt LS50THa + ZWO ASI120MM (Solar Newbie Experience)

As promised elsewhere, a few witterings on my *personal* experience of "commissioning" a basic Solar Setup based on the Lunt LS50THa plus ZWO ASI 120MM (mono) camera. N.B. I'm not a Visual Astronomer, I'm a VIDEO Astronomer. I do have experience with "imaging" but not in "cl...
by Macavity
Wed Mar 16, 2016 8:38 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Sun H-Alpha 14.03.16 (and Intro)
Replies: 9
Views: 1200

Re: Sun H-Alpha 14.03.16 (and Intro)

Thank you, folks! A couple of people have asked me about issues I mentioned re. the Lunt LS50Tha + ZWO ASI120MM Camera... Notably centering the Sweet Spot and removing Newton's Rings. I suspect none of this will be NEW to many here! But I sense it better to put this in your section on Commercial Equ...
by Macavity
Tue Mar 15, 2016 1:35 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Sun H-Alpha 14.03.16 (and Intro)
Replies: 9
Views: 1200

Re: Sun H-Alpha 14.03.16 (and Intro)

Hi Mike (all), Thanks for the welcome. I'm ever willing to witter on about hardware? Yeah my images are a bit "overcooked" - Newbie enthusiasm I claim! ;) The Lunt LS50THa is very new to me (third session yesterday), so I'm still making up much of it as I go along! The Camera is a ZWO 120M...
by Macavity
Tue Mar 15, 2016 12:19 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Sun H-Alpha 14.03.16 (and Intro)
Replies: 9
Views: 1200

Sun H-Alpha 14.03.16 (and Intro)

Since I have been stealing one or two good ideas from around here, I thought it only fair to join up and acknowledge that assistance? ;) I sense I will "know" some of you already. But briefly, I'm normally a VIDEO Astronomer, now getting to grips with a Lunt LS50THa! :) The SUN is shining ...