Search found 1444 matches

by AndiesHandyHandies
Tue Mar 19, 2024 10:41 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: A bit of hazy sun today
Replies: 2
Views: 102

A bit of hazy sun today

Hi Despite contrails, high haze and thin scudding clouds I did get in a bit of observing today. I could see two large spray prominences and a floating 'fuzzy space station' some advanced ethereal civilisation could float around the universe in. There was a good dark sun spot on the opposite side wit...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Tue Mar 19, 2024 10:29 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Progress on Quark power plug issues.
Replies: 2
Views: 356

Re: Progress on Quark power plug issues.

Hi Whilst test indoors of the Quark under power usually got to the green light state. But outside I was having issues. Also the USB power supply plug was a problem as well. I removed a USB extension. Plugged my white lead into a Samsung 2A phone power plug. And pushed a bit of thin plastic coated ca...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Sat Mar 16, 2024 12:56 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: This morning. Only the KSO. 3-14-24.
Replies: 8
Views: 270

Re: This morning. Only the KSO. 3-14-24.

Hi Thanks for that. I had a gaps btween clouds session with the 90mm Quark Chromo and PTS DS. Pretty much what I saw. Maybe slightly tighter flares between the parallel filaments. AstroRod bought me some o-rings as a present from Lidl. One fits in the 2" nose masking off the edges of the front ...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Sat Feb 24, 2024 11:04 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: First clear still sunny day of the year.
Replies: 3
Views: 133

First clear still sunny day of the year.

Hi Despite putting my schedule back I had a go as wanted to see the active area visually. 90mm F6.7 Internal DERF setup 3x VK TE Quark Chromosphere PST Etalon, Swiss adapters. 40mm Celestron symetric. Nive view of the active area with a forming light bridge. And scatter of bright flares. Interesting...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Sat Feb 24, 2024 10:53 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Merlin66's PST Mod "Bible"
Replies: 11
Views: 541

Re: Merlin66's PST Mod "Bible"

Hi I have played with PST mods up to 180mm F10 and Quark Chromosphere set ups. I have a 90mm F6.7 Triplet but a similar scope would do, if optically as good, LOMO territory. I use the Quark Chromo first, includes blocking DS with a PST body and Swiss adapters. Either after a 3x ES TE for full diskat...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Sat Feb 24, 2024 10:37 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Truss tube ideas
Replies: 43
Views: 6936

Re: Truss tube ideas

Hi

That should do as well triangulated. Looks do not matter.

The best non truss alternative is a alloy tube.

Cheers. Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Tue Feb 06, 2024 10:27 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Truss tube ideas
Replies: 43
Views: 6936

Re: Truss tube ideas

Hi

There are only two types which will be adequately stiff:

Surrier Truss as used in professional scopes.

Or for compact and quick set up a Hexapod three pole design. See Cloudy Nights thread.

Cheers. Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Tue Feb 06, 2024 10:23 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Truss tube ideas
Replies: 43
Views: 6936

Re: Truss tube ideas

vkx86 wrote: Sat May 07, 2022 4:51 am Lunt has one very nice truss design - I think you can get some ideas from it.
There is very cool truss design from one of the forum's members - really good one IMHO.
I am afraid this type are not very stiff or light.

Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Wed Jan 31, 2024 9:42 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Progress on Quark power plug issues.
Replies: 2
Views: 356

Progress on Quark power plug issues.

Hi Been struggling for some time with the poor quality micro-USB plug on the Quarks. Initially I pushed a bit of plastic credit card from the inside of the housing to tighten up the pressed unit. Sanded off a wedged front to get it pushed in. Not a very effective mod. After trying taped on right ang...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Sat Jan 27, 2024 10:59 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Observing Friday 26 January 2024
Replies: 5
Views: 226

Observing Friday 26 January 2024

Hi We had a crisp sunny winter day. Some wind early on but seeing not bad. Improved during the day. 90mm F6.7 TS Triplet, 2" UV-IR, RedCCD, 1.25" Baader 7nm, T2 Prism, 3xES TE for F20, and additionally ES2x for F40, Quark Chromo, DS PST Etalon, 40mm Celestron. Nice full disk views. At F40 ...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Thu Jan 18, 2024 1:08 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Enourmouse loop proms alert
Replies: 3
Views: 211

Enourmouse loop proms alert

Hi

Under the stubby prom at 6.30 I can see 1 complex or two loops.

There is a loop starting above the prom, going under the prom and then looping back up like a fish hook.

There is a partial loop to the upper right of the fishhook loop.

Get observing / imaging now.

Cheers. Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Thu Jan 18, 2024 12:48 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: 18 January 2024 Prom
Replies: 10
Views: 418

Re: 18 January 2024 Prom

Hi Nice captures of the proms. Nice to have good images from the east all ready to compare my visual with. For me the proms always look a bit more contrasty compared to images which tend to be a bit soft. Lots all round the disk today. Nice filament there. After using lots of PVC tape I managed to g...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Sat Jan 13, 2024 6:40 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: 13 January 2024
Replies: 8
Views: 411

Re: 13 January 2024

Hi

Nice images.

90mm F6.7 3xES Quark Chromo DS-PST 40mm

The lower left of the double connected spots had a light bridge for me.

Generally the surface was pretty much the same.

There some nice Fila-Proms At the bottom for me. As at the top of your last limb image.

Cheers. Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Sat Jan 13, 2024 12:13 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Struggles with Quark power
Replies: 8
Views: 507

Re: Struggles with Quark power

Hi

Quark Chromo coming up to temperature properly after bodge.

Nice DS view at F20 full disk.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Tue Jan 09, 2024 6:23 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: LS50 at he BACK of a scope?
Replies: 27
Views: 2316

Re: LS50 at he BACK of a scope?

Hi Surely a Quark is a more appropriate rear etalon for a small telescope? And if you want to use the Lunt 50mm just use where its designed to go on the front of a telescope. With the single etalon you will only see prominences well and some surface details may improve with a polariser. Cheers. Andr...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Tue Jan 09, 2024 4:27 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Struggles with Quark power
Replies: 8
Views: 507

Re: Struggles with Quark power

Hi The bodge on the Prominence worked alright. I had to have another bodge at the Chromosphere. Changed the plug packing and with a light taping makes contact. The problem is really the poor quality of the Quark socket. The contacts are light and flimsy so they have to be adequately aligned and held...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Mon Jan 08, 2024 10:03 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Struggles with Quark power
Replies: 8
Views: 507

Re: Struggles with Quark power

Hi Good news, so far, bodged up a solution which seems to work at rest on table. Cleaned the inside of the plug and socket with 3M Stabilant NN. Supposed to use quantim tunneling to improve current flow. Wrapped plug with clear sellotape. Two thicknesse on the bumpy flat side, one small bit, and the...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Sat Jan 06, 2024 11:15 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Struggles with Quark power
Replies: 8
Views: 507

Re: Struggles with Quark power

Hi

Spoke too soon. Chromo not staying green. The Prom runs very hot round 60-65C.

Mmm
by AndiesHandyHandies
Sat Jan 06, 2024 8:38 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Struggles with Quark power
Replies: 8
Views: 507

Struggles with Quark power

Hi Mostly been using my Quark Prominence but its playing up in plug in mode. So I had the Promonence out where I have already had to tape on a right angled lead. I had a nice view of a good pair of proms. But there was some scatter off mica cleavage, or drop, damage in a sector. Was a bit surprised ...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Sat Jan 06, 2024 8:20 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: 6 January 2024
Replies: 10
Views: 623

Re: 6 January 2024

Hi

Had the Quark prom out as Chromo plug in playing up. Prom has taped on RA plug so worked.
Had a nice view of your first prom set.

Cheers. Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Sun Dec 31, 2023 11:29 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: X-Class flare just
Replies: 6
Views: 407

X-Class flare just

Hi

X-Class flare, Cerro Tolero just.

Image20231231220142Ch V01 by Andrew Huskinson, on Flickr

Happy New Year to all.

Cheers Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Sun Dec 24, 2023 1:50 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Blackest black paint?
Replies: 11
Views: 3212

Re: Blackest black paint?

Hi

I use Black3 on 180 grit grey emery paper for small pop in springy self holding cylinders.

Cheers. Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Sun Dec 24, 2023 1:13 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: LS50 at he BACK of a scope?
Replies: 27
Views: 2316

Re: LS50 at he BACK of a scope?

Hi Why not buy one of these? https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p15631_TS-Optics-60-mm-f-6-ED-Refractor---Finder-and-Guide-Scope---extendable-for-astrophotography.html I assume that will fit in your suitcase. Use the LUNT 50mm front etalon at the front, stops it down to 50mm ...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Thu Dec 21, 2023 1:01 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Maximum magnification
Replies: 5
Views: 434

Re: Maximum magnification

Hi Frank Hourigan said there were 10 things limiting resolution and aperture was well down. I am lucky to be on a cliff edge and with an extended pier keeping the scope well off the nearby ground. When I was PST Mod 2ing my 180mm F10 Santel Rumak with bino-viewers I was getting good surface details ...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Tue Nov 28, 2023 4:57 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Observing today
Replies: 4
Views: 333

Re: Observing today

Hi

Gong image.

Image20231128105322Th by Andrew Huskinson, on Flickr

Cheers. Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Tue Nov 28, 2023 12:58 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Observing today
Replies: 4
Views: 333

Observing today

Hi A nice still sunny autumn day. 90mm TS Triplet F6.7, VK 3X TE, (ES 2x TE), Quark Chromo, (PST Etalon) or Micro-focusser for baffling, 40mm Celestron Symetric. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53360876212_b88a8219bd_k.jpg P1070173 Portrait by Andrew Huskinson , on Flickr Because of high haze F4...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Wed Nov 15, 2023 11:41 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Saturday Sunshine 11th November
Replies: 21
Views: 1030

Re: Saturday Sunshine 11th November

Mark, I believe that at least a 100mm for the Ha line can be used for larger scale with the same success. Other than this, the works are great. Valery Hi If I can see essentially the same details as Mark imaged with a 50mm am I at the limit of resolution or contrast I can acheive with the 3x 90mm F...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Sun Nov 12, 2023 11:46 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Saturday Sunshine 11th November
Replies: 21
Views: 1030

Re: Saturday Sunshine 11th November

Hi

Nice images.

From a few miles north I had very similar views with the 90mmF6.7 at 3x and 6x.

Cheers, Andrew,
by AndiesHandyHandies
Sat Nov 11, 2023 10:58 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Observations 90mm F6.7 3x & 6x Quark Chromo DS PST
Replies: 2
Views: 202

Observations 90mm F6.7 3x & 6x Quark Chromo DS PST

Hi A sunny still autumn day. I had a little review of the baffling and made a few changes. 3x DS PST I had a pleasing session. On a par at least with yesterdays FD images. Good contrast on fibrils and as usual the proms. 6x DS PST Nice views of the bright flares round the spots. Looking forward to a...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Wed Nov 08, 2023 11:13 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Barlow 1.6x test from Antares on AR150/F24.
Replies: 16
Views: 939

Re: Barlow 1.6x test from Antares on AR150/F24.

Hi What etalon setup is it? Is DS11 one front etalon? cheers. andrew. DSII (DS2) is a combination of Quark + LS40. I use it on all telescopes. The blocking filter is at the forefront of the Quark, then the LS40 follows. This combination gives the best results. Petr Have you checked the temperature ...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Tue Nov 07, 2023 7:08 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Barlow 1.6x test from Antares on AR150/F24.
Replies: 16
Views: 939

Re: Barlow 1.6x test from Antares on AR150/F24.

Hi

What etalon setup is it? Is DS11 one front etalon?

cheers. andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Fri Oct 27, 2023 9:39 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Lunt 40 mod basics.
Replies: 24
Views: 3631

Re: Lunt 40 mod basics.

My moved collimation lens is about 80mm infront of the PST body. Cant see any issue.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Thu Oct 26, 2023 11:49 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Sunday Sun 15th October 2023
Replies: 48
Views: 3934

Re: Sunday Sun 15th October 2023

Hi TS CF Triplet 90mm F6.6 APO Refractor https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/331990-ts-optics-photoline-90mm-f66/ This was my personal retirement present. You will only get the best possible image with a good triplet APO which has enough degrees of freedom to correct the first 5 Seidel abberations. A...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Thu Oct 26, 2023 11:18 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Observations today
Replies: 7
Views: 1022

Re: Observations today

I am glad you had the time to " try again " Andrew. I seem to have spent a lot of the summer working on my solar set ups. It seems my TS 90mm F6.7 Triplet is a very good telescope for solar observing. Maybe good at my location for my seeing. I took a long time to come to using the DS PST ...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Thu Oct 26, 2023 12:00 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: AR 3465 from new Ha mod on 150mm f/10
Replies: 22
Views: 2842

Re: AR 3465 from new Ha mod on 150mm f/10

Hi I saw a vintage telescope today. Brass refractor on equatorial mount and a wooden tripod. Two dampers went from the bottom of the OTA spreading out to two lower legs of the tripod. Not top as I thought. The dampers had a smaller tube going up from the bottom with 'leafs' spread out at the top to ...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Wed Oct 25, 2023 11:03 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Observations today
Replies: 7
Views: 1022

Observations today

Hi

Try, try and try again.

After my last observations with high haze I had a re-build of my pre-quark stack. Details later.

ImageP1070144 Haze Killer PPV by Andrew Huskinson, on Flickr

Cheers. Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Wed Oct 25, 2023 11:03 am
Forum: SPoD Archive
Topic: Observations today
Replies: 3
Views: 939

Observations today

Hi

Try, try and try again.

After my last observations with high haze I had a re-build of my pre-quark stack. Details later.

ImageP1070144 Haze Killer PPV by Andrew Huskinson, on Flickr

Cheers. Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Tue Oct 24, 2023 9:23 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: AR 3465 from new Ha mod on 150mm f/10
Replies: 22
Views: 2842

Re: AR 3465 from new Ha mod on 150mm f/10

marktownley wrote: Tue Oct 24, 2023 7:04 pm I made a hargreaves strut for my 5" frac.
Was that as I thought from top of tube down to pier with friction damper?

Cheers. Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Tue Oct 24, 2023 4:10 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: AR 3465 from new Ha mod on 150mm f/10
Replies: 22
Views: 2842

Re: AR 3465 from new Ha mod on 150mm f/10

Hi You have a long telescope on a small equatorial mount. 2 things which may help. One is to brace the top of space frame tube to the telescope pier with damping at the pier end. Add a Hargeaves strut. You have a rose joint at the top with a rod going to a friction damper at the bottom on the pier. ...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Tue Oct 24, 2023 12:55 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Lunt 40 mod basics.
Replies: 24
Views: 3631

Re: Lunt 40 mod basics.

Hi Here is Bobs diagrams. https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/659614-need-advice-on-using-baader-tz-2-telecentric-system/ For the PST and similar collimated solar set ups they only use singlet lenses so by using a positive and negative of the same FL balances out the abberations I suppose, and cheape...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Mon Oct 23, 2023 10:12 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: 90mm quick view Sunday
Replies: 2
Views: 1005

90mm quick view Sunday

Hi Had a brief morning session. There were some nice proms. Just one prominent spot but a few filaments. Problem with the Quark Chromo was scatter from high level haze, contrail induced? DS with the PST was OK. Investigating there was scatter of the edges of the ERF filters it seemed. So a session b...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:54 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Lunt 40 mod basics.
Replies: 24
Views: 3631

Re: Lunt 40 mod basics.

Hi

The 'collimated' drawing is totally wrong. The first lens has to be concave and the same FL x -1 as the following convex lens to produce an image plane.

And the tele-centric on is meaningless.

Look at Bobs posts for a better picture.

Cheers. Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Fri Oct 20, 2023 10:29 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: October 20 2023. Slooh Ha.
Replies: 6
Views: 1543

Re: October 20 2023. Slooh Ha.

Hi

Hope the move goes well.

Cheers. Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Fri Oct 20, 2023 6:30 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Lunt 40 mod basics.
Replies: 24
Views: 3631

Re: Lunt 40 mod basics.

Hi

Glad to see it works in Telecentric mode.

My PST works OK a Double stack on a Quark with tele extenders.

Cheers. Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Sat Oct 14, 2023 6:46 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Really nice view today
Replies: 1
Views: 1156

Really nice view today

Hi As Carbon60 said the first decent day for a while. Fortunately Solar had prior to my session posted some good images for today. 90mm F6.7 TS Triplet objective 2" Baader UV/IR Positioned so that the suns cone is entirely in the filter. Reflections 1/3 objective diameter. 2" TT Red CCD 1....
by AndiesHandyHandies
Thu Oct 12, 2023 9:54 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Lunt 40 mod basics.
Replies: 24
Views: 3631

Re: Lunt 40 mod basics.

Hi

I forgot the simple answer.

You can use other focal ratio (FNo) scopes, if it has a smaller FNo the aperture is reduced (Could reduce scatter off internal surfaces?), if its larger the image is smaller. Where the collimator is its FL in front of focus.

Cheers. Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Wed Oct 11, 2023 4:47 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Quark Chromosphere Blockfilter Mod
Replies: 64
Views: 8009

Re: Quark Chromosphere Blockfilter Mod

Hi

Are you then doing partial disk images? What is the aperture and focal length of the telescope being used?

Cheers. Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Wed Oct 11, 2023 4:45 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Lunt 40 mod basics.
Replies: 24
Views: 3631

Re: Lunt 40 mod basics.

Hi I took those from the PST Mod2 values. You need a lens of sufficient clear aperture to fully illuminate the etalon. And the negative dispersion lens needs to be placed its focal length in front of the telescopes focal plane. This then in your case provides a 40mm parallel beam throught the 40mm e...
by AndiesHandyHandies
Tue Oct 10, 2023 5:55 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Quark Chromosphere Blockfilter Mod
Replies: 64
Views: 8009

Re: Quark Chromosphere Blockfilter Mod

Hi

Are you using the 4.2x version?

What diameter is the illuminated cone at that point?

Cheers. Andrew.
by AndiesHandyHandies
Tue Oct 10, 2023 12:22 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Quark Chromosphere Blockfilter Mod
Replies: 64
Views: 8009

Re: Quark Chromosphere Blockfilter Mod

Hi

Why did you put the 14mm ring in?

At least the brightness went down a bit so theory seems right to some extent.

Cheers. Andrew.