Modifying a Newtonian to make a six inch solar astrograph

Cschur · Post by **Cschur** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 3:02 am

Hi all,

This has been a months long project, and I can say now It is finally done! Imagine a six inch white light scope, with less color abberations than the best apochromats, huge resolution compared to teeny 80mm refracttors, and inherently safe with very little heat in the tube. This was my attampt at such an instrument. And although I started with a poor quality mirror, the concepts I believe were well proven to set the trail to a much larger aperture with sub arc second resolution! so here my gentle readers is the report:

http://www.schursastrophotography.com/s ... icle1.html

comments please!

Derek Klepp · Post by **Derek Klepp** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 3:32 am

Very interesting Chris. From alot of which I have read I am tempted to go for an F12 + achromat in a large aperture. Of course these would need a large mount and a more permanent fixture. Still look foward to your progress.

Post by **marktownley** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 6:52 am

That's a fantastic result Chris! Really enjoyed reading your article on this and look forward to seeing more images!

robert · Post by **robert** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:27 am

Thanks for sharing, interesting to see how it goes
Robert

Cschur · Post by **Cschur** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 12:21 pm

Of course, working with acid like that may scare some ATM's off, but I have used such acids for years dissolving silicified fossils out of lime stone for our paleo work, and am familiar with the safety proceedures. A gallon of muratic is less than $10, I cant imagine what a gallon of ferric chloride would cost!

Bill E. · Post by **Bill E.** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 1:46 pm

Thanks for sharing B)

Pedro · Post by **Pedro** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 1:50 pm

Very interesting article Chris. My first solar telescope (1973) was also a newton reflector (150mm F/8) (uncoated primary and secondary mirrors):

http://astrosurf.com/re/mosaic2.jpg

best

Pedro · Post by **Pedro** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 1:57 pm

BTW here's a link to a nice HR solar image obtained with a C14 (full aperture) by Paulo Casquinha (Portugal):

AR1302 (20110925) 10:49UTC
C14 + Skunyx 2.0M
Baader Solar film - Baader solar continuum filter

Large aperture telescopes can be intesting with good seeing conditions

best regards

Cschur · Post by **Cschur** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 3:44 pm

Pedro, I see that you are also an experienced amateur telescope maker such as myself! It always nice to try something new, and working with newts is an inexpensive route which has the potential to out resolve any refractor out there in a snap. Right now, the direction I am heading is to build a 12.5" newt but use the Astrosolar film rather than dissolve the coat off, so I can still use the scope for deep sky. But a six inch project was really fun!

Pedro · Post by **Pedro** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:28 pm

Hi Chris:

Nice idea. You can have the best of both worlds.

My firt telescope was build on 1973 and I did everything myself. It is certainly an excellent school.

Please keep us posted

best regards

Modifying a Newtonian to make a six inch solar astrograph

Modifying a Newtonian to make a six inch solar astrograph

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Re: Modifying a Newtonian to make a six inch solar astrograph

Re: Modifying a Newtonian to make a six inch solar astrograph

Re: Modifying a Newtonian to make a six inch solar astrograph

Re: Modifying a Newtonian to make a six inch solar astrograph

Re: Modifying a Newtonian to make a six inch solar astrograph

Re: Modifying a Newtonian to make a six inch solar astrograph

Re: Modifying a Newtonian to make a six inch solar astrograph

Re: Modifying a Newtonian to make a six inch solar astrograph