Search found 71 matches

by FlankerOneTwo
Sun May 09, 2021 11:30 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: ImageJ to remove Newton rings
Replies: 12
Views: 878

Re: ImageJ to remove Newton rings

Hi Patrick, I found ImageJ difficult at first. If you want me to try ImageJ on your troublesome image, I would be happy to try, it should only take a few minutes. You could either post a reasonable size image (even less than 1 MB jpg could work or a small .tiff file). Thanks. Magnus Hi Magnus, Than...
by FlankerOneTwo
Sun May 09, 2021 5:20 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: FireCapture versus Sharpcap?
Replies: 23
Views: 5287

Re: FireCapture versus Sharpcap?

I prefer FireCapture myself, although SharpCap can certainly do the job for just straight capture. The killer feature for me for FireCapture is the ability to script it. I've used this for time-lapse animations - just something simple like capture <X> sec, wait <X> time, repeat 50 times. You can als...
by FlankerOneTwo
Sun May 09, 2021 5:11 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: ImageJ to remove Newton rings
Replies: 12
Views: 878

Re: ImageJ to remove Newton rings

This has been suggested before as I recall and I've experimented with it somewhat as the PowerMates produce awful NR in my setups. I found it somewhat difficult to completely remove them cleanly with FFT and eventually gave up on it. Somewhat disappointing, as one would think that a frequency-domain...
by FlankerOneTwo
Thu Sep 10, 2020 11:55 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Competition Winner- Alexandra
Replies: 37
Views: 1861

Re: Competition Winner- Alexandra

Congratulations Alexandra, a lovely image!

-Patrick
by FlankerOneTwo
Mon Apr 15, 2019 12:09 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: AR2738 after a long winter of disappointment
Replies: 6
Views: 1342

Re: AR2738 after a long winter of disappointment

Hi Brian,

It's an Aries full-aperture D-ERF.

Patrick
by FlankerOneTwo
Sun Apr 14, 2019 9:54 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: AR2738 after a long winter of disappointment
Replies: 6
Views: 1342

AR2738 after a long winter of disappointment

Well, it's been a terrible winter for imaging around here, and I've only had a few chances to image anything, solar or DSO. I've been envious of all the fantastic images being put up here! The only bright spot was meeting all the folks at NEAIC/NEAF last week, including Stephen Ramsden as well as al...
by FlankerOneTwo
Wed Dec 05, 2018 12:43 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: AR12674 through 304mm scope.
Replies: 8
Views: 1988

Re: AR12674 through 304mm scope.

Fantastic!
by FlankerOneTwo
Mon Nov 12, 2018 5:10 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Smooth focus !!!
Replies: 11
Views: 2304

Re: Smooth focus !!!

You may be able to fit a Sesto Senso. It's convenient because there is no separate external controller box, it is a self contained unit. The standard fits an outer focuser race of 25mm, but they have adapter collars for a few other sizes. I just installed one on my Stellarvue SV80ST, it works quite ...
by FlankerOneTwo
Wed Oct 31, 2018 2:52 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Any interest in this part? LS50C modkit
Replies: 15
Views: 7667

Re: Any interest in this part?

If it works well and is for the 50c rather than the FHA, I would also be really interested.
by FlankerOneTwo
Thu Oct 04, 2018 4:05 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: SolarQuest review
Replies: 63
Views: 45527

Re: SolarQuest review

Has anyone tried the field de-rotation feature in AutoStakkert? Seems like it should be able to compensate, however I've never tried it (don't have an alt-az mount).
by FlankerOneTwo
Wed Oct 03, 2018 2:35 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Exploding arch prom from 9/19
Replies: 16
Views: 2989

Re: Exploding arch prom from 9/19

Thanks all for the comments!
by FlankerOneTwo
Mon Sep 24, 2018 5:39 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: QUARK 9.9 HA full diak and prominence
Replies: 7
Views: 1870

Re: QUARK 9.9 HA full diak and prominence

gabrieli wrote: Mon Sep 17, 2018 12:32 pm Hi, Alex

My favorite is your first prominence image. Well done.
What does the 9.9 in the title mean?

Lou
I puzzled about that also until I looked at the date in the images, I believe it is the date of imaging.
by FlankerOneTwo
Thu Sep 20, 2018 4:50 am
Forum: SPoD Archive
Topic: Exploding arch prom from 9/19
Replies: 12
Views: 3645

Exploding arch prom from 9/19

I was messing around with a different optical train to try to get smaller pixel scale per Valery's recommendation, and figured I would grab some sequences of that nice arch prom that Marty put up when I noticed it changing, literally as I was trying to get focus! At first I thought it was my eyes or...
by FlankerOneTwo
Thu Sep 20, 2018 4:50 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Exploding arch prom from 9/19
Replies: 16
Views: 2989

Exploding arch prom from 9/19

I was messing around with a different optical train to try to get smaller pixel scale per Valery's recommendation, and figured I would grab some sequences of that nice arch prom that Marty put up when I noticed it changing, literally as I was trying to get focus! At first I thought it was my eyes or...
by FlankerOneTwo
Mon Sep 10, 2018 3:20 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: A few surface grabs from the weekend
Replies: 2
Views: 853

A few surface grabs from the weekend

Relatively steady morning skies and some clearing of the forest fire smoke finally made for some good conditions over the weekend, at least until the Quark Combo decided it was too hot to stay on band. I'm starting to wonder if I can stick a Peltier cooler and some radiating fins somewhere on it. No...
by FlankerOneTwo
Sat Aug 11, 2018 6:48 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: What camera do you use?
Replies: 13
Views: 6625

Re: What camera do you use?

Hello Rainer, The Intereference Eliminator is a camera tilter. Newton rings results from interference between reflected light from two surface close together, so it is usually the Quark or barlow and the camera cover glass; therefore you need to tile the camera relative to the Quark, not the ERF. Th...
by FlankerOneTwo
Thu Aug 09, 2018 1:10 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: What camera do you use?
Replies: 13
Views: 6625

Re: What camera do you use?

QHYIII 174 for long focal lengths, ASI1600MM for Lunt 80. Lots of Newton rings with the 1600, but cured with a Daystar Interference Eliminator.
by FlankerOneTwo
Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:54 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: A Million Suns New Lens
Replies: 6
Views: 1285

Re: A Million Suns New Lens

Wow
by FlankerOneTwo
Mon Jul 30, 2018 11:01 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Today's Major Solar Prominences | 150mm & Quark | July 29th 2018
Replies: 9
Views: 1724

Re: Today's Major Solar Prominences | 150mm & Quark | July 29th 2018

Wow, that 152 achro certainly does the job!
Oh, and you too, of course! :)
by FlankerOneTwo
Mon Jul 30, 2018 6:51 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Dragon!
Replies: 9
Views: 1683

Re: Dragon!

Hi Alex, I used Photoshop's MagicWand selection tool to select pixels of the brightness of the disk, so it follows the brightness outline. I did smooth and feather it a bit. I was too lazy to shrink the image and try to draw a circle of the correct size like I usually do to blot out the disk. I shou...
by FlankerOneTwo
Fri Jul 27, 2018 6:02 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Dragon!
Replies: 9
Views: 1683

Dragon!

Finally had good enough seeing the other night (although not for very long!) to tweak the collimation on the Meade 10" on an actual star. Not far off, but it seems to have made a significance difference in sharpness, most noticeably on proms. Now we know from whence dragons come... AI PS 083455...
by FlankerOneTwo
Fri Jul 27, 2018 6:00 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: prom to July 23
Replies: 10
Views: 1721

Re: prom to July 23

Fantastic!
by FlankerOneTwo
Tue Jul 24, 2018 8:43 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Large Filament | 150mm & Quark | 6562.8A | July 24th 2018
Replies: 12
Views: 2029

Re: Large Filament | 150mm & Quark | 6562.8A | July 24th 2018

Looks great! My seeing has been just the worst recently, and the 110F temps don't help either - Quark won't stay on band. Why is astronomical equipment painted black?!? Everything is painfully hot to touch and the bubble level on the Mach1 seems to have boiled off. Time to drop back to the Lunt for ...
by FlankerOneTwo
Wed Jul 18, 2018 11:26 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Quantum 0.4Å PE Filter
Replies: 7
Views: 4220

Re: Quantum 0.4Å PE Filter

I think he means the chart here:

http://www.televue.com/images/TV3_Image ... crease.jpg

It shows very little variation of the 4X with distance - it's a little under 4X at 0mm, seems right on at 25-30, and is maybe 4.4 at 100mm
by FlankerOneTwo
Tue Jul 17, 2018 11:39 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Mosiac of the active region 7/16
Replies: 7
Views: 1449

Re: Mosiac of the active region 7/16

Thanks for the comments all!
Alexandra, great tip, I did not know that. Now I have to go back and look at everybody's posts all over again :-)
by FlankerOneTwo
Mon Jul 16, 2018 10:25 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Mosiac of the active region 7/16
Replies: 7
Views: 1449

Mosiac of the active region 7/16

Had a go at putting together a 6 panel mosaic of the fading AR2713, was relieved to see it actually come together OK. Using a shorter 15 sec capture time seems to help with the softness of some features, seeing did require me to stack somewhat fewer frames - this was a 500 frame stack. JPGified for ...
by FlankerOneTwo
Mon Jul 16, 2018 4:35 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: I keep trying
Replies: 15
Views: 2500

Re: I keep trying

Wow, that's pretty excellent for 80mm!
by FlankerOneTwo
Sat Jul 14, 2018 3:16 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Sun from 30th June and Noctilucent clouds
Replies: 17
Views: 2997

Re: Sun from 30th June and Noctilucent clouds

Wow, just beautiful!
by FlankerOneTwo
Fri Jul 13, 2018 11:20 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: AR continues on July 13
Replies: 5
Views: 1300

Re: AR continues on July 13

Really fantastic detail! I love these high-res views, they look so...organic!
by FlankerOneTwo
Fri Jul 13, 2018 12:18 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Quick peek at active region 7/12/18 with the 10" LX200
Replies: 8
Views: 1469

Re: Quick peek at active region 7/12/18 with the 10" LX200

The first sequence had a little better conditions
113029_Solar_F1000_ap5567 AI PS.jpg
113029_Solar_F1000_ap5567 AI PS.jpg (178.98 KiB) Viewed 1448 times
113029_Solar_F1000_ap5567 AI PS color.jpg
113029_Solar_F1000_ap5567 AI PS color.jpg (318.8 KiB) Viewed 1448 times
by FlankerOneTwo
Thu Jul 12, 2018 8:36 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Quick peek at active region 7/12/18 with the 10" LX200
Replies: 8
Views: 1469

Quick peek at active region 7/12/18 with the 10" LX200

Only able to sneak a couple of quick captures as the sun was dodging in and around some clouds. I figured it was time to pack it up when the thunder started https://www.cloudynights.com//public/style_emoticons/default/storm.gif . Seeing was fair to average on the whole with some gusting winds, still...
by FlankerOneTwo
Fri Jun 29, 2018 9:43 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Large filament on June 25
Replies: 11
Views: 1766

Re: Large filament on June 25

I'm curious about the AS!3 issue and have been wondering how it orders the frames for display if "local" quality estimation is used - since the quality is calculated at each alignment point, it would seem that the order of frames would (potentially) be different depending which alignment ...
by FlankerOneTwo
Thu Jun 28, 2018 7:47 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Large filament on June 25
Replies: 11
Views: 1766

Re: Large filament on June 25

I'm curious about the AS!3 issue and have been wondering how it orders the frames for display if "local" quality estimation is used - since the quality is calculated at each alignment point, it would seem that the order of frames would (potentially) be different depending which alignment p...
by FlankerOneTwo
Tue Jun 26, 2018 6:53 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: A huge Prominence
Replies: 7
Views: 1453

Re: A huge Prominence

Wow
by FlankerOneTwo
Mon Jun 25, 2018 7:48 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Mark Townley's Calcium Eruption
Replies: 1
Views: 716

Re: Mark Townley's Calcium Eruption

Fantastic!
by FlankerOneTwo
Sun Jun 03, 2018 4:50 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Help! Tiltadaptor and Lunt LS50..
Replies: 11
Views: 2464

Re: Help! Tiltadaptor and Lunt LS50..

I did not notice any change in the available back focus when I changed from the stock helical focuser to the Feathertouch on the LS50. I went down this road too.
by FlankerOneTwo
Sat May 26, 2018 7:06 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Help! Tiltadaptor and Lunt LS50..
Replies: 11
Views: 2464

Re: Help! Tiltadaptor and Lunt LS50..

Unfortunately the lack of back focus is one of the limiting factors in using the LS50 for imaging, and was a big part of me moving to the LS80. I could get it to focus with the 50 by removing the B600 nosepiece and screwing the blocking filter directly to the back of the focuser with a T adapter rin...
by FlankerOneTwo
Mon May 21, 2018 6:57 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: First worthwhile results from a high res set up
Replies: 18
Views: 3185

Re: First worthwhile results from a high res set up

Bruce Girrell wrote: Sun May 20, 2018 9:53 pm What function does the telecentric lens serve?
The Quark wants a roughly f/30 light cone.
by FlankerOneTwo
Sun May 20, 2018 4:24 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: strange things!!!!!!
Replies: 25
Views: 4111

Re: strange things!!!!!!

A flat has to be evenly illuminated across the entire frame, not just where the image is light, so out of focus flats don't work if there are portions of the solar limb and background dark space in view. Otherwise the dark areas of the flat make the program think you have crazy vignetting and it wil...
by FlankerOneTwo
Sun May 20, 2018 4:11 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Solarflats in Photoshop?
Replies: 22
Views: 3659

Re: Solarflats in Photoshop?

You might try looking in Mark Townley's thread "Review of the Solutions to Newtons Rings in Solar Imaging" https://solarchatforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=21719 I found it difficult to remove the rings satisfactorily in post processing. Far better to reduce them before acquisition, I f...
by FlankerOneTwo
Sun Mar 04, 2018 3:19 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Sol from the 3rd of March 2018.
Replies: 11
Views: 1490

Re: Sol from the 3rd of March 2018.

Fantastic detail, especially those proms!
by FlankerOneTwo
Thu Mar 01, 2018 4:04 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Sunshine!!!!!
Replies: 30
Views: 5974

Re: Sunshine!!!!!

So sorry to hear about your husband's shoulder, I hope he recovers quickly! I very much enjoy your images - would a short pier work better for you? AstroPhysics makes them as short as 24". You might need some sort of adapter on top depending on which mount you have. They are a little spendy, bu...
by FlankerOneTwo
Tue Feb 20, 2018 7:09 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Can you image the Sun through a window,
Replies: 4
Views: 940

Re: Can you image the Sun through a window,

That's going to depend very much on what type of glass you have and how many panes. Low E glass in particular will absorb at 656nm, how much just depends. Transmittance curves for Low E glazing from Viracon: http://recool.com/files/products/detail/viraconve.jpg Maybe consider fitting a board to the ...
by FlankerOneTwo
Thu Feb 15, 2018 11:22 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Processing issues. What next?
Replies: 14
Views: 2050

Re: Processing issues. What next?

From your first post it sounds like you are trying to open the avi in imPPG. As far as I can tell imPPG only works on images, not video. You should stack in AutoStakkert to produce an image (TIF or PNG or FIT) that you would then open in imPPG. There are others here with a ton more experience than I...
by FlankerOneTwo
Tue Feb 13, 2018 9:40 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Today's SUN (20180213) imaged through thin clouds
Replies: 10
Views: 1389

Re: Today's SUN (20180213) imaged through thin clouds

Looks great! With my weather recently, any images I took I would work as flats :-(
by FlankerOneTwo
Sat Feb 10, 2018 2:09 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Powermate x 4/5 with a zwo 120mm camera
Replies: 6
Views: 1744

Re: Powermate x 4/5 with a zwo 120mm camera

The PowerMates provide the stated magnification at the top of the eyepiece holder, I measure it at 52mm. You get less magnification closer, more further. The PowerMate has a 1.25" eyepiece holder on top, you can simply screw one on to the camera and plop it in there. I get Newton rings with pre...