Search found 41 matches

by piekielrl
Wed Mar 07, 2018 1:15 am
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: Coronado CaK 90 for sale Rebuilt with new filters SOLD
Replies: 4
Views: 4639

Re: Coronado CaK 90 for sale Rebuilt with new filters

This was the "prototype" that was made by Coronado specifically for Gary Palmer to asses and give feedback to the Lunts to determine if a CaK 90 scope would be worth it in production. It doesn't have a serial number, just a blue & white Coronado logo and the CaK emblem. It sounds iike ...
by piekielrl
Tue Mar 06, 2018 12:09 am
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: Coronado CaK 90 for sale Rebuilt with new filters SOLD
Replies: 4
Views: 4639

Re: Coronado CaK 90 for sale Rebuilt with new filters

Make me a reasonable offer. I've been told there were only 6 of these made, and this was the first. Email me direct at piekielrl@netzero.net and I'll send you a detailed description so you will know what you're getting. The last time one of these went for sale was a few years ago on CN. It was being...
by piekielrl
Mon Mar 05, 2018 2:16 am
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: Coronado CaK 90 for sale Rebuilt with new filters SOLD
Replies: 4
Views: 4639

Coronado CaK 90 for sale Rebuilt with new filters SOLD

SOLD SOLD SOLD I have for sale a rebuilt Coronado CaK-90. It originally was Gary Palmer's scope. I had Omega Bob scan the original filters and make new ones that have tighter skirts and better transmission. The main filter is now full=aperture. Also included is a CaH filter. Anyone interested, mess...
by piekielrl
Sun Sep 10, 2017 9:49 pm
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: For sale: Coronado CaK 70 rebuilt
Replies: 1
Views: 3711

For sale: Coronado CaK 70 rebuilt

Some of you have probably seen my ad on Astromart, but in case you didn't, here it is again: Here is a Coronado CaK 70. I've had it for many years. I have heard that only about 12 of these were made, but I can't confirm that. When I got it, the filters in the diagonal were bad, so I had a new, tight...
by piekielrl
Fri Sep 02, 2016 3:07 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Lunt CaK module with oil spaced objectives
Replies: 3
Views: 3626

Re: Lunt CaK module with oil spaced objectives

I'm jumping in here late, but I had Omega Bob make me a full-aperture (95mm) CaK filter to rebuild my Coronado CaK 90 with. He can make thes in any size, and as wide or as narrow as you wish.
by piekielrl
Tue Feb 09, 2016 4:33 pm
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: WANTED Coronado SM60 parts dead or alive
Replies: 0
Views: 10572

WANTED Coronado SM60 parts dead or alive

Does anyone have any Coronado SM 60 parts (Focuser, lens cell, tube, etc.) dead or alive? Please let me know!
Thanks, Bob
[email protected]
by piekielrl
Tue Feb 09, 2016 4:30 pm
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: Sale / Trade Coronado SM II 90mm or partial trade for SM 60
Replies: 0
Views: 10686

Sale / Trade Coronado SM II 90mm or partial trade for SM 60

I am downsizing my equipment arsenal. Here is an excellent-condition Coronado SolarMax II 90 with Rich-field tuning. Comes with the original factory case, three CEMAX eyepieces, CEMAX barlow, and also the original Coronado shipping box (Not pictured). The clamshell mount has been modified with a hin...
by piekielrl
Wed Jan 13, 2016 12:56 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: Coronado etalon finesse peaks far from H-A
Replies: 5
Views: 3864

Coronado etalon finesse peaks far from H-A

In the recent past, I've seen some posts here where members with access to a spectrograph have shown the finesse graphs of Coronado etalons. The range has always been close to the Ha band. For those of you who have done this or seen these, how far do the peaks go into the visual spectrum? Do they go...
by piekielrl
Fri Dec 04, 2015 2:19 am
Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
Topic: sm60 double stack
Replies: 9
Views: 4803

Re: sm60 double stack

Sorry I'm jumping in late here, but I've had both, as probably several of you out there have had also. My experience in terms of VISUAL performance, from low to high, was in this order: SM60 single SM90 single SM60 double SM90 double. Notice that I'm saying the SM 60 double-stack out-=performed the ...
by piekielrl
Thu May 28, 2015 8:29 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Prominences in He or Calcium
Replies: 3
Views: 951

Prominences in He or Calcium

Has anyone here ever been able to VISUALLY see prominences in either Helium-D3 or either Calcium band (CaK or CaH)?
If so, can you describe your set up?
Thanks, Bob Piekiel
by piekielrl
Thu May 28, 2015 8:27 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: Appenzellersun, 28th may, a CaK test
Replies: 10
Views: 1841

Re: Appenzellersun, 28th may, a CaK test

Walter, do you have the two-piece version of this filter, the one Bob says is 4nm in single mode and 2nm when double-stacked? How do the visual views compare with your images? (I ask because I have the double filter set as well, and have been using it in different modes, and also with and without a ...
by piekielrl
Tue Jan 13, 2015 3:09 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: omega bob has listed his ca H filter
Replies: 39
Views: 4982

Re: omega bob has listed his ca H filter

Hi Valery (and all), Yes, you are correct about the 10nm bandwidth of the HeD3 filter - I simply copied "1nm" from his spec sheet, which you see in the photos. Has anyone here been able to VISUALLY detect HeD3 proms (or CaK proms)? I haven't - yet. As to the CaK filters, I do public outrea...
by piekielrl
Mon Jan 12, 2015 5:33 pm
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: omega bob has listed his ca H filter
Replies: 39
Views: 4982

Re: omega bob has listed his ca H filter

Hi Valery, Attached is the printout of the HeD3 filter. I paid $180 plus $5 shipping here in the US for it. It is centered on 587.5618 nm with a HBW of 1.0 nm.

Thanks, Bob Piekiel
by piekielrl
Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:26 am
Forum: This is SolarChat !!
Topic: omega bob has listed his ca H filter
Replies: 39
Views: 4982

Re: omega bob has listed his ca H filter

Regarding the various posts here on this thread - I just bought and received one of Omega Bob's narrowband (less than 2 angstroms) CaK filters. The image is SO dim it's literally impossible to see anything visually with it, even when getting full sun from a 90mm objective (no additional blocking fil...
by piekielrl
Tue Dec 09, 2014 5:25 pm
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: WANTED: Coronado diagonal with rusted filters
Replies: 1
Views: 2723

WANTED: Coronado diagonal with rusted filters

Does anyone have a Coronado diagonal with rusted-out filters or no filters they'd be willing to sell? All I want is the diagonal.
Email me direct at [email protected]

Thanks!
Bob Piekiel
by piekielrl
Sun Oct 26, 2014 7:37 pm
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: Wanted: Coronado 90 Clamshell mount and case
Replies: 2
Views: 2760

Wanted: Coronado 90 Clamshell mount and case

Hi folks, does anyone out there have a clamshell mount (with the three knurled thumbscrews) from a Coronado 90 that they would consider selling? I'm guessing some of you have mounted them up with different rings or hardware... Also, does anyone have a case for a Coronado 90 that they'd be interested...
by piekielrl
Fri Oct 17, 2014 9:40 pm
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: Wanted : Coronado Solarmax 90 filter, SM90 type I or II
Replies: 13
Views: 6017

Re: Wanted : Coronado Solarmax 90 filter, SM90 type I or II

Hi Valery, Sorry about the late reply. I just saw your posting. The etalon I'm describing is simply the stock unit out of a Coronado SMII 90 scope. Used with a Coronado blocking filter, the manufacturer states a 0.7nm bandwidth. I don't know what the spectral transmission curve of the etalon is all ...
by piekielrl
Wed Oct 01, 2014 8:02 pm
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: Wanted : Coronado Solarmax 90 filter, SM90 type I or II
Replies: 13
Views: 6017

Re: Wanted : Coronado Solarmax 90 filter, SM90 type I or II

Hi Brice, Now I understand what you want. The older MaxScope 90s only had a front-mounted filter as stock, and to double-stack it, you had to screw on an internal etalon to the front of the focuser. That's what I thought you were looking for. Those "internal" etalons are what became standa...
by piekielrl
Mon Sep 22, 2014 8:21 pm
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: Wanted : Coronado Solarmax 90 filter, SM90 type I or II
Replies: 13
Views: 6017

Re: Wanted : Coronado Solarmax 90 filter, SM90 type I or II

Are you still looking for an SM90 etalon? Do you want the internal version (which is about 60mm in aperture) or the external unit that screws onto the front of an SM90? If you want the internal version, I might be able to help you out. I can get a brand new one from a friend of mine, but they are ex...
by piekielrl
Sat Jan 18, 2014 3:49 pm
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: WANTED: Baader Calcium-K filter
Replies: 1
Views: 2672

WANTED: Baader Calcium-K filter

Does anyone here have a Baader CaK filter they would like to sell? I want one for some comparisons to other commercial CaK scopes. I can pay with paypal.
Thanks!
Bob Piekiel
Marcellus, NY 13108
USA
by piekielrl
Thu Jan 09, 2014 3:41 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembled Coronado CaK 90mm
Replies: 12
Views: 3040

Re: Disassembled Coronado CaK 90mm

Hi Mark, Yes, as I said in a previous post here the light cone from the objective "just touches the inside of the degraded zone," so by moving the filter backwards in the tube it will be completely out of the bad zone. All I have to do is screw the filter mount collar in "backwards.&q...
by piekielrl
Thu Jan 09, 2014 2:47 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembled Coronado CaK 90mm
Replies: 12
Views: 3040

Re: Disassembled Coronado CaK 90mm

Hi Andy, Glad to know you as another CaK 90 owner! So you have #1? You are correct about Greg. His was labeled #10 (I just messaged him about that and he confirmed it). Greg sold his a short while back, but I didn't ask to whom it was sol to. Our solar chat "leader" Steve has #s 3 and 5. T...
by piekielrl
Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:34 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembled Coronado CaK 90mm
Replies: 12
Views: 3040

Re: Disassembled Coronado CaK 90mm

OK, here's the pics with a description: Pic 1 shows the main objective. It is heavily coated, presumably to serve as a UV-IR block as well. It is mounted at a tilt in the cell. Pic 2 shows the main 73mm CaK filter, mounted in the middle of the tube, in a collar just like the Ha etalons. It is mounte...
by piekielrl
Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:12 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembled Coronado CaK 90mm
Replies: 12
Views: 3040

Re: Disassembled Coronado CaK 90mm

Hi Mark, Yes, I will do this shortly. Here's a few more important points about the scope: ALL the optical components, including the objective, are mounted in cells that have them tilted a very small amount. I know this is for reduction of internal reflections. Why this doesn't introduce astigmatism ...
by piekielrl
Wed Jan 08, 2014 6:14 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembled Coronado CaK 90mm
Replies: 12
Views: 3040

Re: Disassembled Coronado CaK 90mm

Hi Walter, I'm going to have to mask out and re-use the filter to get the scope up and running, since commercial replacements (like the Lunt CaK module) use much smaller filters than this big 73mm unit). I can tell you this - if you shine a red or green laser at the center of the filter, it is compl...
by piekielrl
Wed Jan 08, 2014 5:51 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembled Coronado CaK 90mm
Replies: 12
Views: 3040

Disassembled Coronado CaK 90mm

NOTE: This is for educational purposes only! Neither I nor the administrator of Solar Chat assume any responsibility for unsafe use of this info! OK, now having said that, here's another chapter to the thread I posted a few weeks back on disassembling a Coronado Ha 90. This time, I've disassembled m...
by piekielrl
Thu Dec 26, 2013 1:30 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembling a Coronado 90
Replies: 41
Views: 10519

Re: Disassembling a Coronado 90

Thanks to everyone for their help and comments. Now I want to "see this for myself."

Does anyone have a decontated or damaged / destroyed etalon that they would be willing to sell me for experiments?

Thanks, Bob Piekiel
by piekielrl
Tue Dec 24, 2013 9:52 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembling a Coronado 90
Replies: 41
Views: 10519

Re: Disassembling a Coronado 90

Hi Mark, I've used both lasers and a diffuse mercury lamp to view the bands on two joining flats, and both of them show straight bands. I've used both lasers and diffused monochromatic light (the mercury lamp) on the etalons, and they always show circular bulls-eyes. What am I missing here? Thanks a...
by piekielrl
Tue Dec 24, 2013 2:05 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembling a Coronado 90
Replies: 41
Views: 10519

Re: Disassembling a Coronado 90

Thank you both, Walter and Mark. I now understand what is happening here, with respect to the pressure affecting the tilt of the etalon on the foam, rather than the spacing. Also this explains the presence of the "sweet spot" in the Coronado scopes' field of view. These construction detail...
by piekielrl
Tue Dec 24, 2013 3:56 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembling a Coronado 90
Replies: 41
Views: 10519

Re: Disassembling a Coronado 90

I have two SM II external etalons - a 60 and a 90. Both have the tuning screw on the front, directly attached to the red ERF. It appears to be glued to the filter glass, so of you removed the filter, you'd lose the tuning screw.

Best, Bob
by piekielrl
Tue Dec 24, 2013 2:30 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembling a Coronado 90
Replies: 41
Views: 10519

Re: Disassembling a Coronado 90

THANKS! That answers my question and makes perfect sense. I was also thinking about removing the front ERF from a double-stacking etalon, but I didn't want to say that here as it might sound like I'm advocating altering stock solar equipment... Having said THAT, you would need to replace the ERF in ...
by piekielrl
Tue Dec 24, 2013 1:57 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembling a Coronado 90
Replies: 41
Views: 10519

Re: Disassembling a Coronado 90

Yes, Coronado has always used the compression spacers for the tuning effect. I wanted to add something to my previous post where I described the etalon housing, and pose a question here to those who are reading: I talked about the ERF in combination with the front collimating lens - Look closely at ...
by piekielrl
Mon Dec 23, 2013 10:21 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembling a Coronado 90
Replies: 41
Views: 10519

Re: Disassembling a Coronado 90

let me try to describe the cell for you, left to right (that is, eyepiece end to objective end: At the left end is a convex lens that re-focuses the parallel light coming out of the etalon. It's held in by a metal retaining ring and rests on a thick foam gasket ring. You can remove the lens by unscr...
by piekielrl
Mon Dec 23, 2013 7:13 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembling a Coronado 90
Replies: 41
Views: 10519

Re: Disassembling a Coronado 90

Hi Steve, I didn't know this topic would be against the rules here because of the many other similar topics I've browsed. After I posted my initial question asking if anyone else had taken one of these apart, several people expressed interest in my results, so I followed through with the pics. I've ...
by piekielrl
Mon Dec 23, 2013 5:27 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembling a Coronado 90
Replies: 41
Views: 10519

Re: Disassembling a Coronado 90

OK guys, here's the pics. I have it pretty much stripped to the core, but in the photos I didn't remove the lenses from the cells (the front objective, the front and rear collimating lenses), but I do have all the retaining rings loosed and removed. If I wanted to take out the lenses, I would just n...
by piekielrl
Mon Dec 23, 2013 2:56 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembling a Coronado 90
Replies: 41
Views: 10519

Re: Disassembling a Coronado 90

Putting it together is a cinch. You just screw the pieces back together by hand - it's mostly just threading the rings and fittings on to each other. I will have some pics up by later tonight. I did not use any Loctite when re-assembling it. It works just fine by hand-tightening the pieces. The only...
by piekielrl
Mon Dec 23, 2013 2:19 am
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembling a Coronado 90
Replies: 41
Views: 10519

Re: Disassembling a Coronado 90

Since my initial post on Nov 13th, I have successfully disassembled my Coronado SMII 90 down to the last individual pieces except for the etalon (I'm obviously not going to touch it or try to remove it from the cell). The entire scope is put together with red threadlocker adhesive. I carefully heate...
by piekielrl
Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:45 pm
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: WANTED: CORONADO CaK 90
Replies: 5
Views: 3126

Re: WANTED: CORONADO CaK 90

Thanks Mark, I actually have a Coronado CaK 70 that I love dearly. I bought it from Solar Chat Member Vince through his ad on astromart some time back. BTW, I like your video on disassembling a PST on youtube. I've dissected the PSTs, the SM60s, and the 70s before myself, now I'm struggling to get t...
by piekielrl
Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:36 pm
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: WANTED: CORONADO CaK 90
Replies: 5
Views: 3126

Re: WANTED: CORONADO CaK 90

The engineers who worked for Coronado and / or Lunt either as employees or consultants were Dick Buchroder, Bill Dean, Gene Cross, and a couple others who names escape me now (I am on a yahoo list serve with a team of about 50 of these optics guys), as this discussion came up a couple months ago. I ...
by piekielrl
Wed Dec 11, 2013 4:41 am
Forum: Solar Astronomy Shop and Swap
Topic: WANTED: CORONADO CaK 90
Replies: 5
Views: 3126

WANTED: CORONADO CaK 90

Does anybody here have a Coronado 90mm CaK scope they would consider selling? Not too many of them were made, and one by one, all of these are developing filter problems which seriously degrade the quality of the images. In talking to the engineers who designed them the culprit is the hygroscopic co...
by piekielrl
Thu Nov 28, 2013 11:12 pm
Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
Topic: Disassembling a Coronado 90
Replies: 41
Views: 10519

Disassembling a Coronado 90

Has anyone here ever disassembled a Coronado 90? My Coronado 60 comes apart easily. The front lens cell unscrews from the brass tube, and the brass tube unscrews easily from the rear etalon housing. None of the parts on the 90 will budge, as if it's put together with some kind of thread-locking adhe...