Search found 328 matches

by hopskipson
Wed Feb 28, 2024 3:04 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Calcium Saturday 24th February
Replies: 41
Views: 1090

Re: Calcium Saturday 24th February

I guess that is a custom system. What are the FWHM of the CaK filters and do you have to tilt them? Both filters are nominally rated at 1a each, but experience shows, and from seeing measurement of similar filters from the same batches, that the actual bandpass will be higher. They are sensitive to...
by hopskipson
Tue Feb 27, 2024 10:00 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: New CaK etalons from Solar Spectrum
Replies: 22
Views: 1560

Re: New CaK etalons from Solar Spectrum

I got a call from Mark today! The filter is ready but his weather has been very bad for testing. So if you know anybody in Chico, please have them dance for sun and stop dancing for rain! 😉😁
by hopskipson
Tue Feb 27, 2024 9:51 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Calcium Saturday 24th February
Replies: 41
Views: 1090

Re: Calcium Saturday 24th February

marktownley wrote: Tue Feb 27, 2024 6:21 am
hopskipson wrote: Tue Feb 27, 2024 4:09 am What filter system are you using?
Thanks James, I use an Astronomik L1 as a pre blocker, Edmond Optics 394/10 as a blocker, Chroma Technology CaK and then an Alluxa CaK.
I guess that is a custom system. What are the FWHM of the CaK filters and do you have to tilt them?
by hopskipson
Tue Feb 27, 2024 4:09 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Calcium Saturday 24th February
Replies: 41
Views: 1090

Re: Calcium Saturday 24th February

Wow Mark! Really nice images.

What filter system are you using?
by hopskipson
Mon Feb 26, 2024 10:16 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: New CaK etalons from Solar Spectrum
Replies: 22
Views: 1560

Re: New CaK etalons from Solar Spectrum

GeorgeIonas wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 8:34 am Good to hear that Mark as some clear mica. My order for a 0.3 angstrom Ha filter placed through Alpine Astro is coming up to 2 years of wait time.
Ouch! That’s a little concerning.
by hopskipson
Tue Feb 13, 2024 7:02 pm
Forum: SPoD Archive
Topic: Ca-k imaging, seeing slowly improves
Replies: 15
Views: 139

Re: Ca-k imaging, seeing slowly improves

Nice images, Dennis!

I’m not sure you would see much improvement with an etalon.
by hopskipson
Tue Feb 13, 2024 7:02 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Ca-k imaging, seeing slowly improves
Replies: 16
Views: 569

Re: Ca-k imaging, seeing slowly improves

Nice images, Dennis!

I’m not sure you would see much improvement with an etalon.
by hopskipson
Tue Feb 13, 2024 5:18 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: New CaK etalons from Solar Spectrum
Replies: 22
Views: 1560

Re: New CaK etalons from Solar Spectrum

You might contact Bob at Alpine Astronomical about availability When I tried to order my H-alpha directly from Mark, he didn’t respond to my email until about a month after I ordered it from Alpine. So it took mark about 6 weeks to respond. The H-alpha took a little over the 12 weeks I was quoted f...
by hopskipson
Fri Feb 09, 2024 10:44 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: New CaK etalons from Solar Spectrum
Replies: 22
Views: 1560

Re: New CaK etalons from Solar Spectrum

Just got an update from Mark, my filter is complete and awaiting testing. Of course, he is dealing with lots of rain. My weather hasn’t been favorable either but spring is coming! I have fingers crossed to have it by the end of the month. :D Lucky you, i didnt even get a reply to my email 4 weeks a...
by hopskipson
Fri Feb 09, 2024 6:58 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: New CaK etalons from Solar Spectrum
Replies: 22
Views: 1560

Re: New CaK etalons from Solar Spectrum

Just got an update from Mark, my filter is complete and awaiting testing. Of course, he is dealing with lots of rain. My weather hasn’t been favorable either but spring is coming! I have fingers crossed to have it by the end of the month. :D
by hopskipson
Thu Feb 08, 2024 11:39 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Mosaic in Hydrogen alpha on 2-4-24
Replies: 5
Views: 231

Re: Mosaic in Hydrogen alpha on 2-4-24

Thanks, Maurits and Alexandra! :bow Some great detail in this :bow :hamster: although creating a mosaic is a work of passion :bow Alexandra I think it’s just easier to stitch all the images together than to post them individually. It also gives an interesting perspective. I’m surprised more people w...
by hopskipson
Wed Feb 07, 2024 9:06 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Mosaic in Hydrogen alpha on 2-4-24
Replies: 5
Views: 231

Mosaic in Hydrogen alpha on 2-4-24

Hi All I haven’t seen the sun much this winter but I had a chance to do some imaging on Saturday. Lots of activity up there! I captured a bunch of images of the equatorial region and had Photoshop “merge “ them. Seeing was not so great but masking the 6” to 4 helped. Click on the thumbnail for the l...
by hopskipson
Thu Jan 04, 2024 2:10 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: New CaK etalons from Solar Spectrum
Replies: 22
Views: 1560

Re: New CaK etalons from Solar Spectrum

That's exciting! I hope he has a lot of them :D While I don’t know how many systems he has on hand I know he sourced a few different sized blocking filters for future orders. With Mark, you have to be patient. I have been waiting for over a year (now that he has sourced a lot of the materials wait ...
by hopskipson
Thu Jan 04, 2024 1:49 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Solar filter 0.3A
Replies: 39
Views: 7150

Re: Solar filter 0.3A

I’m now waiting for a calcium filter. I think it’s close to completion 🤞 Any updates? About a week ago, according to Mark, my unit is ready for testing. Of course the weather in California has not cooperated. Mark has updated his website for the new year and included information on narrow band filt...
by hopskipson
Tue Dec 26, 2023 7:18 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Best H-alpha shots for 2023
Replies: 8
Views: 633

Re: Best H-alpha shots for 2023

That was a nice year for you! Thanks for sharing.
by hopskipson
Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:33 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Astronomical Lunt observance, UK
Replies: 6
Views: 653

Re: Astronomical Lunt observance, UK

How much is a Solar Scope blocking filter? It would seem that it would be a cheaper alternative in Europe. I tried to find/order an etalon in the US but it was prohibitively expensive and almost impossible to find.
by hopskipson
Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:12 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Where is Lunt?
Replies: 41
Views: 3495

Re: Where is Lunt?

:oops: Hi All, What's wrong with Lunt? Last November I tried to buy a Lunt 50. Many companies reported waiting time delivery 6 months. July 2023 we have them again. Now I ask again and the answer is December 2023 we can only deliver. I can't make any recordings with a Lunt for a year. Question: Lunt...
by hopskipson
Mon Nov 06, 2023 6:43 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Large Ha mosaic from 10-28-2023
Replies: 8
Views: 438

Re: Large Ha mosaic from 10-28-2023

Thank you, David, James, Mark and Alexandra for the words of encouragement!
by hopskipson
Sun Nov 05, 2023 4:37 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Large Ha mosaic from 10-28-2023
Replies: 8
Views: 438

Re: Large Ha mosaic from 10-28-2023

DavidP wrote: Sun Nov 05, 2023 3:49 am Wonderful composite. That was obviously a lot of work to create. Well done.
A labor of love! 😁
by hopskipson
Sun Nov 05, 2023 1:26 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Large Ha mosaic from 10-28-2023
Replies: 8
Views: 438

Large Ha mosaic from 10-28-2023

I finally had a dry day last weekend and some time to capture some data. I was surprised at some of the spots I missed but I was limited by trees and clouds. Thanks for looking.

Image
by hopskipson
Sun Nov 05, 2023 1:16 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: The feeling when you take a single photo in 4 hours - 04.11.
Replies: 10
Views: 349

Re: The feeling when you take a single photo in 4 hours - 04.11.

At least you got a nice image for your effort!
by hopskipson
Tue Oct 17, 2023 7:47 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: 17 October 2023
Replies: 8
Views: 1755

Re: 17 October 2023

Very nice disks, Ralph!
by hopskipson
Tue Oct 17, 2023 3:09 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Possible last image for 2023
Replies: 11
Views: 1934

Re: Possible last image for 2023

Very nice disk, Hugh! What type of mount are you looking for and what is your budget? An LS60 doesn’t need much of a mount. I had used my old Celestron SE mount. It tracked the sun pretty well and was very easy to set up. I just recently purchased an AM5 which would be overkill for the 60 but I find...
by hopskipson
Mon Oct 16, 2023 7:12 pm
Forum: Annular Solar Eclipse October 14 2023
Topic: Annular eclipse from Nevada, USA
Replies: 6
Views: 1594

Re: Annular eclipse from Nevada, USA

You definitely captured the moment!
by hopskipson
Mon Oct 16, 2023 7:12 pm
Forum: SPoD Archive
Topic: Annular eclipse from Nevada, USA
Replies: 7
Views: 1615

Re: Annular eclipse from Nevada, USA

You definitely captured the moment!
by hopskipson
Mon Oct 16, 2023 1:54 am
Forum: Annular Solar Eclipse October 14 2023
Topic: First Solar Image
Replies: 12
Views: 2018

Re: First Solar Image

Now that is a fantastic first image, Paul!
by hopskipson
Mon Oct 16, 2023 1:52 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Sun October 15, 2023
Replies: 9
Views: 1817

Re: Sun October 15, 2023

Nice images, Franco!

What are you using for the CaH? I’m assuming it’s the quark.
by hopskipson
Mon Oct 16, 2023 1:45 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Please support our fundraiser
Replies: 4
Views: 2165

Re: Please support our fundraiser

mspingy1 wrote: Mon Oct 16, 2023 1:03 am I don't do PayPal. Any other way of comtributing?
Pretty sure I saw an option to send a check.
by hopskipson
Sun Oct 15, 2023 4:00 am
Forum: Annular Solar Eclipse October 14 2023
Topic: Partial Eclipse from SW Ohio 10 14 2023
Replies: 13
Views: 1895

Re: Partial Eclipse from SW Ohio 10 14 2023

Happy birthday, Warren! You share the day with my golden doodle, Maggie 🎂

Nice pictures!
by hopskipson
Sun Oct 15, 2023 1:54 am
Forum: Annular Solar Eclipse October 14 2023
Topic: Frustrating annular eclipse here on the GA coast.
Replies: 5
Views: 1493

Re: Frustrating annular eclipse here on the GA coast.

Nice images!

Better than what I got in NY….wet.
by hopskipson
Sat Oct 14, 2023 3:53 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Cak Single and double stack
Replies: 12
Views: 2201

Re: Cak Single and double stack

Very nice images, M & A! Some subtle differences between the two sets. The DS has added a nice texture to the surface and more definition to the ARs.
by hopskipson
Fri Oct 13, 2023 12:27 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Finally some sun-time... 12th October '23
Replies: 10
Views: 1678

Re: Finally some sun-time... 12th October '23

Nice images,Stu!

I’m a weekend warrior and lately the weather is only nice during the week . Was beautiful this week and the forecast for the weekend is trash!
by hopskipson
Thu Oct 12, 2023 6:02 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: AR 3460 H alpha
Replies: 19
Views: 2489

Re: AR 3460 H alpha

Hi, the Televue 5x PM is not telecentric at all. The Quark needs a telecentric to work. After that you can use a 4 lens reducer like the Daystar or the Baader and reduce the image to a scale just before you reach vignetting. I'll try to go for a telecentric from Baader. I've seen that they make 4x ...
by hopskipson
Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:58 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: your assistance please
Replies: 2
Views: 1944

Re: your assistance please

I haven’t posted here consistently but if I need an answer to a question I can always count on Solarchat to come through! If everyone chipped in $10 they would exceed the goal by a lot. C’mon people less than that Starbucks coffee! 😂 A side note to the organizers, pry more swag from your corporate s...
by hopskipson
Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:30 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: AR 3460 H alpha
Replies: 19
Views: 2489

Re: AR 3460 H alpha

I found with the quark it really helps to get the tuning dialed in with a few sessions. The whole etalon has to be at equilibrium to get the maximum uniformity. Once you get the right setting you can leave it there for that particular location. You may or may not have to adjust it for a different lo...
by hopskipson
Wed Oct 11, 2023 12:31 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: AR 3460 H alpha
Replies: 19
Views: 2489

Re: AR 3460 H alpha

Hi Stefano I think you would have better luck with a true Telecentric as opposed to the Powermate. It may give you a more uniform image as the Powermate can give you a sweet spot since it is not a true Telecentric. Hi James, you are thinking about telecentric systems from baader ? Yes, the Baader o...
by hopskipson
Tue Oct 10, 2023 10:58 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: AR 3460 H alpha
Replies: 19
Views: 2489

Re: AR 3460 H alpha

Hi Stefano

I think you would have better luck with a true Telecentric as opposed to the Powermate. It may give you a more uniform image as the Powermate can give you a sweet spot since it is not a true Telecentric.
by hopskipson
Tue Oct 10, 2023 10:47 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: CaK Sun 8th October
Replies: 13
Views: 1923

Re: CaK Sun 8th October

Nice images, Mark!
by hopskipson
Sun Oct 08, 2023 3:03 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: How will you be enjoying the annular/partial solar eclipse of October 14, 2023?
Replies: 3
Views: 1262

Re: How will you be enjoying the annular/partial solar eclipse of October 14, 2023?

I’ll only have about 20% partial eclipse. So far the forecast is not good and with my luck I will be clouded/rained out.☹️ If that miraculously changes I’ll be on my balcony imagining it.
by hopskipson
Sun Oct 08, 2023 4:03 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Catch up on some animations 10/3 - 10/4
Replies: 15
Views: 1806

Re: Catch up on some animations 10/3 - 10/4

Nice ones, Warren!
by hopskipson
Sat Oct 07, 2023 4:12 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Measurement of a DayStar PE 0.6 A
Replies: 23
Views: 3117

Re: Measurement of a DayStar PE 0.6 A

In UK there's no Solar Spectrum items on the shelves ready to go. I've been told not to expect a Sundancer before March 2024. I've a budget of £5k and can't spend it for love nor money. solarscope.co.uk is closer to home. But I'd need to buy a 3D printer to make a rear DS cell and that's more cost ...
by hopskipson
Fri Oct 06, 2023 6:12 pm
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Measurement of a DayStar PE 0.6 A
Replies: 23
Views: 3117

Re: Measurement of a DayStar PE 0.6 A

I guess I was lucky. My Quark was a good example, it was my introduction to H-alpha observing and imaging. Having a 102mm refractor made it possible to get really good images and views without spending much money. I was surprised to find that a lot of people had bad experiences. When I wanted to mov...
by hopskipson
Fri Oct 06, 2023 2:04 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Closeup of selected AR in H-Alpha 5th of October 2023
Replies: 9
Views: 1564

Re: Closeup of selected AR in H-Alpha 5th of October 2023

Nice images, Arne!
Am I correct in thinking that this is a double stack system with the Sundancer and Quantum PE.
by hopskipson
Thu Oct 05, 2023 11:10 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: H-alpha Mosaics from 10-01-2023
Replies: 5
Views: 1375

Re: H-alpha Mosaics from 10-01-2023

Thanks for the comments Mark and Arne! thanks for the likes too.

Here's one that didn't fit into any of the mosaics.

AR3449
PS1imppg.jpg
PS1imppg.jpg (233.4 KiB) Viewed 1321 times
by hopskipson
Thu Oct 05, 2023 6:54 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Sun October 4,2023
Replies: 9
Views: 1544

Re: Sun October 4,2023

Nice disks, Franco!
by hopskipson
Thu Oct 05, 2023 3:14 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Best Lunt size-to-value ratio for visual-only observing
Replies: 4
Views: 1322

Re: Best Lunt size-to-value ratio for visual-only observing

Do you have any other larger refractors? If so maybe you would want to add a Quark or Solar Spectrum rear mounted etalon. You already have the full disk covered adding a rear mounted etalon with the necessary telecentric and larger refractor would give you higher resolution views. If you’re still lo...
by hopskipson
Thu Oct 05, 2023 12:14 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: H-alpha Mosaics from 10-01-2023
Replies: 5
Views: 1375

H-alpha Mosaics from 10-01-2023

Hi All Using the Solar Spectrum always gives a narrow FOV so I put together some mosaics. Best if seen in full size mode. Enjoy! Captured on Sunday afternoon between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Seeing was forecast to be around 2.5 arcseconds. Lucky imaging prevailed. Masked 6" F/8 refractor to 105mm and...