PST Mod Complete
- seti_v2
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PST Mod Complete
Used Orion 120mm f5 scope. Changed the front collimating lens in the pst etalon assembly to -100fl. zhumell sct focuser and celestron diagonal to attach the pst itf and blocking filter. Also Rosco UV/IR 5.25" and Rosco flame red 5.25" dichroic filters used before the objective for an ERF.
Seeing was absolutely atrocious, worst i've ever seen. Just had to try to see if the setup all worked. I was able to tune and focus. Sorry the images are terrible but they are just proof of concept images. Can't wait for good seeing now.
Seeing was absolutely atrocious, worst i've ever seen. Just had to try to see if the setup all worked. I was able to tune and focus. Sorry the images are terrible but they are just proof of concept images. Can't wait for good seeing now.
Frank
PST mod, Orion 120mm F5, Celestron C8
PST mod, Orion 120mm F5, Celestron C8
- marktownley
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Re: PST Mod Complete
Looking a good start! When the weather allows try rotating the etalon assembly you will find there is an optimum position for it relative to the optical axis.
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
- seti_v2
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Re: PST Mod Complete
I didnt even think of that. Great suggestion! Im sure that the lenses in the etalon assembly arent perfectfully orthogonal. I will have to do that for sure!
Frank
PST mod, Orion 120mm F5, Celestron C8
PST mod, Orion 120mm F5, Celestron C8
- marktownley
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Re: PST Mod Complete
Another tip to improve things in terms of squaring up, try and get an adapter to allow you to connect the male m56 thread on the end of the skywatchers focuser to the female sct thread in the secondary focuser.
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
- swisswalter
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Re: PST Mod Complete
Hi Steve
a good start. Now starts the real modding job
a good start. Now starts the real modding job
Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
Re: PST Mod Complete
Thanks.. did not know about the rotating trick for the PST mod. It helped a little. Still don't like the banding/sweet spot issue of the pst mod. But for right now it will do until I can afford something more expensive.
- swisswalter
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Re: PST Mod Complete
Hi Bandazar
more expensive may not mean "more" better
more expensive may not mean "more" better
Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
- marktownley
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Re: PST Mod Complete
we can improve the results from this setup a bit more yet: Are you using a barlow lens on the nose of the camera? This will reduce the size of the sweetspot. The image above is offband, which, to me, suggests excessive tilt somewhere in the system - probably focuser or connecting joints between the various components...
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
- seti_v2
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Re: PST Mod Complete
I am not using a barlow. If it will help than I will definitely put one on. I did find some excessive tilt in the focuser to etalon nosepiece and have corrected that. It was tilted about 3ish degrees. I also need to tweak the etalon position I think a little.
But unfortunately I have about 5 days of rain ahead of me so here's looking for fun in the sun next week!
But unfortunately I have about 5 days of rain ahead of me so here's looking for fun in the sun next week!
Frank
PST mod, Orion 120mm F5, Celestron C8
PST mod, Orion 120mm F5, Celestron C8
- marktownley
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Re: PST Mod Complete
You definitely need to be using a barlow! All excessive tilt needs to be reduced to zero for best results...
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
- MapleRidge
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Re: PST Mod Complete
Congrats on the new mod and first light.
These mods work very well...just need some fine tuning now. Look forward to seeing more results.
Brian
These mods work very well...just need some fine tuning now. Look forward to seeing more results.
Brian
Brian Colville
Maple Ridge Observatory
Cambray, ON Canada
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/185395281@N08/albums
10'x15 Roll-off Roof Observatory
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Deep Sky Work - ASI294MM Pro+EFW 7x36/Canon 60D (Ha mod), ONAG
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iOptron CEM70G Mount carrying:
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Ha Setup: Lunt LS80PT/LS75FHa/B1200Ha + Home Brew Lunt Double Stack/B1800Ha on the Orion OTA + Daystar Quantum
WL, G-Band & CaK Setup: Lunt Wedge & Lunt B1800CaK, Baader K-Line and Altair 2nm G-Band filter
ASI1600MM, ASI432MM, ASI294MM Pro, ASI174MM, ASI462MM
Maple Ridge Observatory
Cambray, ON Canada
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/185395281@N08/albums
10'x15 Roll-off Roof Observatory
Takahashi EM400 Mount carrying:
C14 + Lunt 80ED
Deep Sky Work - ASI294MM Pro+EFW 7x36/Canon 60D (Ha mod), ONAG
Planetary Work - SBIG CFW10, ASI462MM
2.2m Diameter Dome
iOptron CEM70G Mount carrying:
Orion EON 130ED, f7 OTA for Day & Night Use
Ha Setup: Lunt LS80PT/LS75FHa/B1200Ha + Home Brew Lunt Double Stack/B1800Ha on the Orion OTA + Daystar Quantum
WL, G-Band & CaK Setup: Lunt Wedge & Lunt B1800CaK, Baader K-Line and Altair 2nm G-Band filter
ASI1600MM, ASI432MM, ASI294MM Pro, ASI174MM, ASI462MM
- seti_v2
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Re: PST Mod Complete
My etalon is placed too far inside focus. My diagonal takes up too much back focus. Does anyone know what the thread size is on the PST blocking filter? I need to figure out how to place them inline instead of threaded on the diagonal.
Even so here are some of the images I got today. I think this is a good start either way!
Even so here are some of the images I got today. I think this is a good start either way!
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- sun_152003_g3_ap25 colorize.jpg (83.71 KiB) Viewed 5251 times
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- sun_155026_g3_ap187 colorize.jpg (527.84 KiB) Viewed 5251 times
Frank
PST mod, Orion 120mm F5, Celestron C8
PST mod, Orion 120mm F5, Celestron C8
- swisswalter
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Re: PST Mod Complete
Hi Frank
that is a good start. to reach the -200 mm you can always add a 2" extension tube. I cant help on the threads of the blockingfilter housing
that is a good start. to reach the -200 mm you can always add a 2" extension tube. I cant help on the threads of the blockingfilter housing
Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
- Merlin66
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Re: PST Mod Complete
I think from memory it's a M35 thread.
Good images there, but I don't know if it's the stacking/ processing or optics somewhere, but there seems to be some astigmatism - looks for the extended linear features...those are artifacts.
Good images there, but I don't know if it's the stacking/ processing or optics somewhere, but there seems to be some astigmatism - looks for the extended linear features...those are artifacts.
"Astronomical Spectroscopy - The Final Frontier" - to boldly go where few amateurs have gone before
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"Imaging Sunlight - using a digital spectroheliograph" - Springer
https://groups.io/g/astronomicalspectroscopy
http://astronomicalspectroscopy.com
"Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs" and
"Imaging Sunlight - using a digital spectroheliograph" - Springer
- seti_v2
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Re: PST Mod Complete
Just measured the thread. I got M33x0.75 if anyone is curious. I'll have an adapter made up to get the filters inline and ditch the diagonal. It is a really cheap diagonal and may be a cheap prism instead of a dielectric mirror. That may be adding astigma as well.
Keep your fingers crossed!
Keep your fingers crossed!
Frank
PST mod, Orion 120mm F5, Celestron C8
PST mod, Orion 120mm F5, Celestron C8
- swisswalter
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Re: PST Mod Complete
Hi Frank
I will, good luck
I will, good luck
Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
- seti_v2
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Re: PST Mod Complete
Well i bored out a 2 to 1.25 inch adapter to fit the itf and blocking filter. So everything is inline now. And i checked and my diagonal is definently a prism and may have been adding a little astigmatism.
Now i just need clear skies and i should be set!
Now i just need clear skies and i should be set!
Frank
PST mod, Orion 120mm F5, Celestron C8
PST mod, Orion 120mm F5, Celestron C8
- seti_v2
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Re: PST Mod Complete
Got rid of the diagonal and got the itf and blocking filter inline. Brief sun and poor seeing but my imaging is getting better.
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Frank
PST mod, Orion 120mm F5, Celestron C8
PST mod, Orion 120mm F5, Celestron C8
- swisswalter
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Re: PST Mod Complete
Hi Frank
you move in the right direction
you move in the right direction
Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa