Search found 151 matches

by PEterW
Sun Jun 02, 2013 9:57 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Wetland solar observing event report
Replies: 4
Views: 560

Wetland solar observing event report

Noticed the London Wetland Centre was having a Solar Viewing event, organised by the Astro retailer Astronomia, who now have a shop on site. I offered my assistance as I have not heard of any other local events and being a Wetland Centre member it would be free for me to go along. A grey start did n...
by PEterW
Sun Jun 02, 2013 7:12 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Point Grey Research cameras in the UK
Replies: 34
Views: 2898

Re: Point Grey Research cameras in the UK

Met a guy at an event over the weekend who liked his Chameleon. I got a trusty DMK41 at the moment, seems like the Chameleon has greater sensitivity but smaller pixels (so less of the disk visible), >8bit (but then lower frame rate), supplied drivers are plop but Firecapture works well?? So a worthw...
by PEterW
Fri May 31, 2013 2:37 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Tutorials on Processing?
Replies: 2
Views: 430

Re: Tutorials on Processing?

A can of worms, there seem to be more opinions than solar imagers... Play and see what you prefer. You can easily spend hours fiddling, I never seem to use the same settings twice, just see what works on the data I have.

Of course sometimes a mono image looks best!

Good luck

Peter
by PEterW
Fri May 31, 2013 2:33 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Sun in Three lights 25/05/13
Replies: 3
Views: 460

Re: Sun in Three lights 25/05/13

Nice! Always good to contrast what you can see in the 3colours.

Peter
by PEterW
Fri May 31, 2013 2:28 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: cak full disc
Replies: 11
Views: 770

Re: cak full disc

Nice bit of kit, seems to be delivering the goods! Good luck on keeping the clouds away!

Peter
by PEterW
Fri May 31, 2013 2:26 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Some Sun - May 30th
Replies: 11
Views: 752

Re: Some Sun - May 30th

120Gb, that'll take a lot of beer to chug through! Your kit seems to be firing on all cylinders!

Peter
by PEterW
Mon May 27, 2013 9:09 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: AR11756 Hi Res CaK Closeup
Replies: 30
Views: 2271

Re: AR11756 Hi Res CaK Closeup

This still the "homebrew" filter or are you using something a bit more potent?!

PEter
by PEterW
Mon May 20, 2013 9:15 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: 2013-05-19 -> The Sun in Ha in High-Res
Replies: 14
Views: 1151

Re: 2013-05-19 -> The Sun in Ha in High-Res

Have to disagree with Alexandra... 3rd/5th AND 6th are amazing. I LIKE a lot. Very good "brushed hair" detail! Did you say which scope combination you used for this lot?

Top notch

PEter
by PEterW
Mon May 20, 2013 8:42 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Heads-up London (UK) solar event 1st June
Replies: 8
Views: 459

Heads-up London (UK) solar event 1st June

Just found out that Astronomia are doing a Solar Observing event at the London Wetland Centre (Barnes), Sat 1st June. http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/london/whats-on/2013/06/01/out-of-this-world/ (reckon I can do a better H-alpha shot too ;-)!) It appears that they now have a showroom there too for Scop...
by PEterW
Mon May 20, 2013 8:38 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Published again
Replies: 6
Views: 459

Published again

Any UK members, grab a copy of the June Astronomy Now and see a slightly dark one of my CaK shots at the bottom of the Image Gallery page. I could get used to this!

Cheers

pEter
by PEterW
Mon May 20, 2013 8:36 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: International Astronomy Show starring the amazing Mark Townley
Replies: 32
Views: 4102

Re: International Astronomy Show starring the amazing Mark Townley

Pity I was unable to make it. Sounds like it'll be on next year... have to remember to pencil it in.

Well done all!

PEter
by PEterW
Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:05 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Finally clear......!!
Replies: 9
Views: 515

Finally clear......!!

First clear blue day in what feels like years, who cares if it is a bit chilly. Anyhow nipped out at lunch to grab some data, processed tonight. Whitelight and CaK taken with an 80mm refractor (Intes wedge/Continuum filter and Lunt B600 Cak filter), H-alpha with a Lunt60PT. All taken prime focus on ...
by PEterW
Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:27 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: LS60 double stacking idea?
Replies: 3
Views: 982

LS60 double stacking idea?

Random idea about double stacking a lunt ls60.... will it work.Seeing that my ls60 focusses with the back filter tube and focuses with the focusser a bit out too iwas wondering.... If you could get a PST etalon unit in the focusser tube to double the stack the scope. As it is an f8 it would need to ...
by PEterW
Wed Jan 16, 2013 8:09 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Cracking the CaK Code - First Look at the Blue Side For 2013
Replies: 13
Views: 874

Re: Cracking the CaK Code - First Look at the Blue Side For 2013

Sure looks like a grown up CaK image looks like! Looks like yer magic has worked!

PEterW
by PEterW
Sun Sep 23, 2012 6:44 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Calculating what focal reducer I need
Replies: 9
Views: 1125

Re: Calculating what focal reducer I need

Got mine from ModernAstronomy in the UK, PST users need them too.

PEterW
by PEterW
Sat Sep 22, 2012 6:33 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Calculating what focal reducer I need
Replies: 9
Views: 1125

Re: Calculating what focal reducer I need

With most reducers it depends how far from the camera they are how much reduction you get. At prime focus with a dmk41 you see all the disk except a little bar of the top, a generic 0.5x reducer on a shorty nosepiece makes it comfortably all on chip. A slight amount of tiling gives you a higher reso...
by PEterW
Fri Sep 21, 2012 9:34 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: AR 1575 on the 21st ---- AutoStakkert question added?
Replies: 8
Views: 482

Re: AR 1575 on the 21st

Yes if you select the add in a bit of raw stack option or is it the HQ option, i set both on normally. One is nice and contrasty and sharpened and the other is the stacked result. I was happy with the final auto processed result on my recent CaK data. Even improved it by a 1.5x drizzle though some v...
by PEterW
Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:10 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Hightlights from Saturday mornings Session - Calcium Shootout!
Replies: 19
Views: 976

Re: Hightlights from Saturday mornings Session - Calcium Shootout!

Not sure the reflection would get back in again. I noticed the filter reflection as an off centre bright path on the front objective of my 80mmWO refractor. Hitting a curved lens will put the back reflection further off axis. I am quite happy with my CaK contrast, just need to find a at to up the ap...
by PEterW
Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:06 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Surrey Science Circus Outreach event report
Replies: 7
Views: 597

Re: Surrey Science Circus Outreach event report

No tables, so the Netbook went on the little camping stool I brought along. Had to crouch down the whole day, now legs are in agony, stairs especially bad! Good day though, so worth a bit of suffering!

PEter
by PEterW
Sun Sep 16, 2012 3:47 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Surrey Science Circus Outreach event report
Replies: 7
Views: 597

Surrey Science Circus Outreach event report

Joined my old Guildford Astronomical Society colleagues at their solar observing event at the Surrey Science Circus on Saturday 15th. Couple of white light, one 60mm Solarmax h-alpha and my 80mm WO with Lunt B600 CaK filter with DMK41. Different scopes showing different things on the sun.... Mugged ...
by PEterW
Sat Sep 15, 2012 8:26 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: solar features in the last month's
Replies: 8
Views: 670

Re: solar features in the last month's

Wow! Very good images, I like the ones with the prominences the best, what telescope did you use?

PEterW
by PEterW
Sun Sep 09, 2012 5:23 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: CaK 6thSept (not enough zoom!)
Replies: 3
Views: 605

CaK 6thSept (not enough zoom!)

First session for too long, grabbed whilst the washing machine was running before a foreign business trip last week (6th) . I used the EQ6 to remove tracking issues, but only used the 2x barlow instead of the 3x I though I had used!! I have run the vids though our fave 3 progs and it appears that As...
by PEterW
Thu Sep 06, 2012 6:46 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Calcium K imaging with Baader CaK filter
Replies: 10
Views: 992

Re: Calcium K imaging with Baader CaK filter

Interesting the see the stark difference between the filter and cak module. I agree with mark, keep the ND small to keep the exposures short... Cameras are expendable, eyeballs not!

Peter
by PEterW
Thu Sep 06, 2012 6:42 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: What to do with a PST minus the etalon
Replies: 17
Views: 2815

Re: What to do with a PST minus the etalon

The focal length will be he same, but you wI'll have lost the thickness of the etalon and lens unit, so the focus will now be short??

Cheers

Peter
by PEterW
Thu Aug 02, 2012 6:59 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video
Replies: 279
Views: 30381

Re: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video

The only thing that matters for the etalon is the central parallel reflective surfaces that the spacers maintain he separation of. Not sure what you would be wedging.

PEterW
by PEterW
Wed Aug 01, 2012 8:30 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video
Replies: 279
Views: 30381

Re: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video

Seesm a bit high... you'd destroy most things with that load. Taking Zerodur youngs modulas 91GPA. We want a strain of 40nm/400um which is 125ustrain. stress=Y.strain yielding 11.4MPa the spacer ara (4.76x6.35mm)x3=90.5mm^2 So the Force applied to this area to get the required pressure is around 103...
by PEterW
Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:58 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video
Replies: 279
Views: 30381

Re: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video

The magic smoke has left.... I pretty sure you'll never get it back together and working again.

PEterW
by PEterW
Wed Jul 25, 2012 6:06 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Large Aperture solar telescope using a modded Lunt etalon?
Replies: 171
Views: 21971

Re: Large Aperture solar telescope using a modded Lunt etalon?

Need to replace the focusser for a 10:1 microfocusser you'll never be able to get perfect focus. I had one.... Regret setting given the current discussions!

Cheers

PEter
by PEterW
Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:09 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video
Replies: 279
Views: 30381

Re: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video

Do we enough data on the etalon to be able to do calculations? Reflectivity, spacing, finesse are ones that spring to mind. We can then do some calculations about thermal tuning(of air and spacers), tiling and pressure tuning. Look up edlen corrections for accurate air refractive index, pressure, hu...
by PEterW
Sat Jul 21, 2012 5:20 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video
Replies: 279
Views: 30381

Re: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video

So we should see a sweatband as reported on some Coronado units. Seeing mark has shown us what is inside the etalon holder has anyone thought about double stacking by connecting two etalon housings end to end but without the first unit refill imagine and the second unit front collimator, so the coll...
by PEterW
Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:34 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video
Replies: 279
Views: 30381

Re: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video

I used SLS Optics on the Isle of Man for mine

PEterW
by PEterW
Thu Jul 19, 2012 6:36 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video
Replies: 279
Views: 30381

Re: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video

Thinking aloud. I wonder if meade/Coronado would be willing to sell us the Stalin in its tuning cell with a bf10 diagonal for a reasonable amount. Be nice if they could also give us select etalons with good bandwidth specs. Save us having to play lotto with the bandwidth and save us having to pop ha...
by PEterW
Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:25 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video
Replies: 279
Views: 30381

Re: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video

Edge blackening pen.... now I have seen it all!

PEterW
by PEterW
Mon Jul 16, 2012 6:50 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Multi-function Ha/ white light solar scope?
Replies: 20
Views: 1178

Re: Multi-function Ha/ white light solar scope?

..... Just need to fond a suitable narrow filter online to reduce the bandwidth a bit, longer wavelength should reduce the atmospheric turbulence a bit. Sounds good, stops CaK totally though!

PEterW
by PEterW
Sun Jul 15, 2012 7:44 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Hi Res Ha Fun - 15th July *colour pics added*
Replies: 30
Views: 1937

Re: Hi Res Ha Fun - 15th July

Holy smokes, anyone know of any rusty pSTs, I need to join the fun! Too few sucker holes here in London, ended up just doing some white light eyeballing with the wedge and continuum filter.... Vey impressive spot with lots of little satellite spots. Pity we got nothing more on the disk to look forwa...
by PEterW
Mon Jul 09, 2012 8:09 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Giant Sunspot 1520 - Damian Peach
Replies: 9
Views: 802

Re: Giant Sunspot 1520 - Damian Peach

C14 does a fair job!

Peter
by PEterW
Thu Jul 05, 2012 6:55 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video
Replies: 279
Views: 30381

Re: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video

Very low finesse, so not very deep reflection dips between the peaks, less demands on the coating uniformity and specs.

PEterW
by PEterW
Thu Jul 05, 2012 6:45 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video
Replies: 279
Views: 30381

Re: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video

Be interesting to reassemble with some stiffer silicone prongs and some silicone grease, so we know it is not tilted. Very carefully tighten up the tuner to avoid excess pressure damage. I'm waiting for confirmation that other lens choices give good images. Good point about the desire to avoid any t...
by PEterW
Thu Jul 05, 2012 12:38 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video
Replies: 279
Views: 30381

Re: PST Etalon Assembly / Disassembly Video

Twiddling won't compress 8mm of silica, my money is on the foamy pad imparting a slight tilt to the whole etalon unit hence the banded sweet spot. The filters are broadband high reflectors, so look gold in colour, the wavelength filtration is down to the etalon effect, not the actual coating spectra...
by PEterW
Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:16 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: July 3rd Images from the driveway 3 wavelengths
Replies: 14
Views: 913

Re: July 3rd Images from the driveway 3 wavelengths

Which of your many scopes were in that lineup...? All you need is 3 cameras and you wont miss a thing.

Cheers

PeterW
by PEterW
Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:06 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Multi-function Ha/ white light solar scope?
Replies: 20
Views: 1178

Re: Multi-function Ha/ white light solar scope?

Don't forget the CaK too, might as well have them all in one.... Easier to explain to he wife than having 3 scopes!

Cheers

PEterW
by PEterW
Mon Jul 02, 2012 10:04 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Lyot Filter Stuff
Replies: 23
Views: 3355

Re: Lyot Filter Stuff

Give Gooch&Housego a call, they stock all sorts of crystals and can cut and polish to order. If you are using narrowband filters to reduce the number of crystal elements needed then this is starting to look practical!

Cheers

PEter
by PEterW
Sat Jun 30, 2012 3:27 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Lyot Filter Stuff
Replies: 23
Views: 3355

Re: Lyot Filter Stuff

A bit like the UBF at the NSO. Given the requirement of thicknesses and orientation of optical axes.... Modding scopes will look like child's play in comparison to Lyot filter making. Keep us posted and LARGE handful of good luck. A colleague build a related device that acted as a hyper spectral cam...
by PEterW
Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:04 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Lunt60PT mod, anyone had success? - now with picture from THE SCOPE :)
Replies: 7
Views: 1310

Re: Lunt60PT mod, anyone had success?

The simplest appears to be replacing the front optics with an f8 scope, but things are still work in progress on this forum. There is another dosing with folded optics, nOt as compact.

Cheers

Peter
by PEterW
Thu Jun 14, 2012 9:24 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: "Pressure Tuned" PST etalon!
Replies: 11
Views: 1444

Re: "Pressure Tuned" PST etalon!

Interesting patents. The bending caused by the coatings, the preference of soft coatings to minimise this is something I was not aware of. 1/6 thickness is pretty common for substrates that don't flex. If we had some numbers for the relativises and spacer dimensions we could play the numbers with th...
by PEterW
Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:07 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: "Pressure Tuned" PST etalon!
Replies: 11
Views: 1444

Re: "Pressure Tuned" PST etalon!

Why do we get a bar of on band then? Even pressure would act like the new pressure tuner? Most thinly polished glass materials are going to be very resilient, not going to deform much if at all.... Unless they are using the same stuff they mounted the pentaprism with.... Cheers PEterW PS I will give...
by PEterW
Sat Jun 09, 2012 8:48 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Camera connection advice
Replies: 13
Views: 1480

Re: Camera connection advice

Not jealous.... Got me a conon sx40 recently. Good pictures, compact and rediculous 800mm equivalent zoom with stabilisation that works. Extra digital zoom works rather well too. Can leave the heavy digiscoping stuff at home now. It isn't a dslr, but I leave the lens addiction to my dad. Hope you're...
by PEterW
Sat Jun 09, 2012 8:14 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Camera connection advice
Replies: 13
Views: 1480

Re: Camera connection advice

????for solar work? You have a DMK41 don't you? A PGR
Or lumenera would be a better bet? I recently connected a sale to a scope for birding using t adapters and a 2" t adapter from astro engineering.

Cheers

Peter
by PEterW
Sat Jun 09, 2012 9:05 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Finally my Transit Photos...From Hawaii!
Replies: 24
Views: 2547

Re: Finally my Transit Photos...From Hawaii!

"next time.." ?! You got a time machine or some special elixir? Perfect shots, you must have been rushing about filling up hard drives the whole time. Can we look forward to one of those shots on some cafe press mugs? Maybe the setting CaK image... Priceless!

Cheers

PEterW
by PEterW
Fri Jun 08, 2012 1:41 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: June 6 2012: the transit of Venus...and the Hubble space telescope! by Thierry Legault
Replies: 9
Views: 1118

Re: June 6 2012: the transit of Venus...and the Hubble space telescope! by Thierry Legault

Hear about any interesting satwellites and transits and odds on Tierry will turn up wherever is required to do the honours....! Another blinder!

Cheers

PEterW