Today's SUN (20210331) | Lacerta 2" Herschel Wedge

[pedro]

Today's SUN (20210331) | Lacerta 2" Herschel Wedge

WEB LINK:
http://pedroreastrophotography.com/sun_ ... 21-03.html

Tried today the Lacerta 2" Giant Solar Wedge for the first time. It 's great for visual observation and imaging as well.

The Lacerta Herschel-wedge features a significant, 56.6-degree angle, so called Brewster-angle that provides a special benefit when compared with other 90-degree Herschel wedges. This benefit is coming from the fact that nearly 100 % of light is polarised under this angle; this means that the Lacerta Herschel wedge offers continuous or even complete dimming with the mandatory ND=3.0 filter and an additional polarising filter. A dimming range between ND=4.07 and 6.37 can be achieved. Without the polarising filter the Herschel prism operates at ND 4.07 that is excellent for solar imaging.


Lacerta 2" solar wedge | Pedro RE' (20210331)


IMAGING SETUPS


IMAGING SETUPS


IMAGING SETUPS


IMAGING SETUPS


IMAGING SETUPS


IMAGING SETUPS


SUN (20210331) H-alpha (09:00 UTC). TV101 F/5.4, DS SM90II/SM60, BF30, PGR GRASSHOPPER 3 GS3-U3-28S4M


SUN (20210331) H-alpha (09:00 UTC). LUNT60, BF30, PGR GRASSHOPPER 3 GS3-U3-28S4M


SUN (20210331) H-alpha (09:00 UTC). TV101 F/5.4, SM60, BF30, PGR GRASSHOPPER 3 GS3-U3-28S4M


SUN (20210331) CaK PROMS (09:00 UTC). TV101 F/5.4, LUNT 1200 CaK Module, PGR GRASSHOPPER 3 GS3-U3-28S4M


SUN (20210331) WL, CaK & H-alpha (09:00 UTC). TV101 F/5.4, LUNT 1200 CaK Module, SM60, BF30, PGR GRASSHOPPER 3 GS3-U3-28S4

[DeepSolar64]

Pedro,
I remember asking you if you had a Lacerta wedge a little while back. A friend of mine has one of those and bought it based on the principle of the Brewster angle. The only thing I am not sure about is it's open design. They are well liked and well rated. That friend of mine had to clean dust from his and was discouraged that it did not come with a case and came only wrapped in bubble wrap. My Altair wedge came in a case and was clean! He also lacks enough in focus on his scopes for it to work properly. If he removes the click-lock adapter it will work.

I have the same problem with my AT72EDII using the Altair wedge. But only with the ZWO camera.

Some complain about craning the neck with the odd angle when the sun is high in the sky.

Nice images Pedro!

James

[pedro]

James: I used the Lacerta wedge for the first time today and I was very pleased with it. I had no problem focusing (TV101) and I used a polarizing filter as well. By rotating the eyepiece fitted with a polarizing filter the image brightness varies considerably. I will have to use it for imaging as well. The energy trap is great and I plan to use this wedge with big refractors, namely an APM180 F/5 achro refractor.

[EGRAY_OBSERVATORY]

This is an interesting topic Pedro and James (whilst I'm sitting in my observatory-whilst listening to classical-music), so when able (clear skies not this afternoon) will need to try-out the Lunt 1.25" wedge along with the polarizing-filter to see how they perform with the Orion ED80T-CF.

Otherwise Pedro thanks for sharing the pics and the three-lights too.

Regards
Terry

[DeepSolar64]

Pedro,
He uses the click-lock adapter to hold the polarizer to keep from having to change it from eyepiece to eyepiece while observing. To make it easier. Are there an optical component available that will remedy in-focus problems for visual use?

It being big refractor capable is nice. 150mm is the highest my Altair wedge is rated for.

James

[pedro]

I also have a click-lock adapter that I plan to use. The in-focus problem is difficult to solve, if you do not have enough back focus it will not work. You can try using a barlow though and see if it works

[Boso36]

Hi Pedro,

I was not sure if the Lacerta wedge is for white light or H-alpha or other wavelengths.
Can you please clarity, kindly, thank you.
How much does it cost ?

Magnus

[pedro]

Magnus

It is for White Light. You can check the following link:
https://www.365astronomy.com/Lacerta-Br ... ece-Holder

Lacerta White Light Herschel Wedge Solar Wedge with large prism with 48mm optical window with Brewster-angle and accessories included, M48-thread on telescope side, M54-thread on eyepiece side, 2" Rotation-Adapter to eyepiece or camera and 2" ND3.0 filter

[MAURITS]

Very interesting wedge Pedro.

[pedro]

Thanks Maurits

It is a great piece of equipment, and BIG too

[krakatoa1883]

Many thanks for sharing this, Pedro. I too considered this prism but is seems that unless the scope mount is very high as your one, the observing angle can become uncomfortable.

[Merlin66]

Traditional Herschel wedges, especially the 2” versions are capable of being safely used on refractor apertures up to (and probably beyond) 200mm.
They are very safe and robust.

[Montana]

Excellent set of images Pedro the open design makes me a bit nervous though, can you burn your hand?

Alexandra

[JochenM]

Nice new toy there, Pedro.

Great images as usual too.

[marktownley]

Nice images Pedro!