SolarChat!

vkx86

mami813 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 11:53 am The two black lines in the center did not match, so I applied a little force to match the black lines. After assembly, it works without any problems.

Awesome disassembly

Me thinks these two lines are exactly on 2 plates that hold mica etalon sheet between them.

vkx86

marktownley wrote: ↑Fri Sep 23, 2022 4:53 pm I am keen to put a 'proper' power connection on my quark rather than the temperamental USB socket.

Take the PCB to electronics repairs shop - they should fix it for few quids.
Or try yourself with soda soldering paste - see how it works

vkx86

Alto wrote: ↑Fri Jul 22, 2022 11:21 am ...or will work on my 4inch refractor...

As visual-only observer, with my setup - ED 80 f/7.5, I always prefer 80 mm aperture vs 54 mm stopped because of details.
If you have a good seeing for Solar - 4" aperture will show a lot of detail on Sole, so I would go Quark.

vkx86

...In the instructions for a wedge it usually reads " For refractors only " because of the heat damaging the internal components of the scope, mainly the secondary mirror. Exactly. Secondary mirror in catoptric/catadioptric scope may "fry". ...Of course the wedge should be rated...

vkx86

Thank you vkx86! What do you think? Disassemble the optical parts? I have a screwdriver and hammer at hand... Me thinks - absolutely not, do not touch the stack!!! I think you reached the edge, I would send the filter to DayStar at that stage - the most precious part in that stack is the mica sheet...

vkx86

Nothing is like taking things apart...

That oil is index fluid - maybe it changed it's properties with time, thus causing fog.
Or it simply leaked outside the stack leaving optical surfaces without it.

vkx86

Hello all! Summer is starting and daylight seeing gets worse, so I'm reducing magnification. I need to balance SW ED80 F/7.5 + 2" diagonal + Quark + Quark T2 adapter + Lunt T2 to 2" adapter + Meade 2" 56mm Plossl on my trusty AZ-4 mount on altitude axis. I thinking about adding some w...

vkx86

Highbury Mark wrote: ↑Mon May 09, 2022 10:25 am The 100mm doublet was 2.8kg - 4kg fully set up. The 120mm triplet is pushing 9kg.

Well, Tak TSA-120 isn't exactly grab-n-go scope, but kind of more powerful and universal

vkx86

The LZOS is an apochromat, right? It should outperform a standard achromatic doublet with regular crown and flint like the TAL is. I have read that LZOS scopes are really nice. Both of them are actually LZOS, at least the optical glass. There is only one foundry that melts optical glass in Russia, ...

vkx86

I guess it is a combination of etalon size and 'research grade' I wonder how much more it is for the double stack!!! Their largest PT etalon is one used in their 230mm, it's 80mm CA un-obstructed etalon . Off 230mm USD 33K price I would wildly guess that the tube, focuser and achro lens ( using ist...

vkx86

...but if the Omegon did the job without problems, it was an easy and cheap way to do it. And it works! In the future a better and smarter mount. Agreed - if it works, why bother? Looks you have adequate mount for the setup in your photo (EQ5 and alike?). What better and smarter one could be? - I'm...

vkx86

Thankyou very much. That first Lunt design, did you catch the price of that telescope! The second is absolutely where I was aiming for and I couldn't have a better example. It's my pleasure to offer some help in such an endeavor of yours :) Lunt 300mm price is indeed astronomical - I have no idea w...

vkx86

...Given the war in Ukraine and sanctions meaning there will be no more LZOS glass coming out of Russia for the foreseeable, both are now holy grail scopes. Just found a link to LZOS visit report in my astro bookmarks from many years ago...that's a "one, huge enterprise", something like Z...

vkx86

I've gone out and observed the moon more in the last 6 months than I have in the last 6 years, probably even longer than that. Although considered an "easy target", Moon has infinite amount of details, depending on seeing and aperture. I always like the sight of the Luna in my Mewlon-180C...

vkx86

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.

vkx86

Highbury Mark wrote: ↑Mon May 02, 2022 10:16 am I miss having a 4” scope for WL - it’s noticeable how better suited they are to UK seeing than 120mm.

Nothing to miss here - you can always stop down 120mm frac to 100mm

vkx86

Ljungmann wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 11:45 am 90CF0398-26C0-42F9-A20A-C50590E0475A.jpeg

Lovely setup, but I have to ask:
How rigid is all that "plumbing" attached to the focuser tube (I see extender + TZ-4 + SS)?

vkx86

2" diagonal gives shortest setup, which is preferable over any other options in my opinion.

vkx86

DeepSolar64 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 30, 2022 1:59 pm I have trained my eyes and mind over the years. I can leave both eyes open and concentrate on the observing eye while ignoring the other. I haven’t needed an eyepatch in decades!

That's serious accomplishment!

vkx86

I do well visually without a binoviewer so would one really be an improvement for me or better yet, worth the money? I have always liked binocular viewing, binoviewers are similar, yet different. I suggest you to try one if you can, it's definitely a very good "comfort device" in same cat...

vkx86

The binoviewer dims the brightness, in theory. I practice, your brain adds the two images and the end effect is that you can't really notice the dimming. About using L80 etalons in a L100. I'm not sure it's even possible, and in any case, the resolution will still depend on the aperture of the etal...

vkx86

1.) I am so used to binocular viewing that I cannot wrap my head around cyclops mode. I tried my best today on the single eyepiece with relaxing my eyes, but in the end, I just wished I had binocular vision. Try using eyepatch and keep the eye behind the eyepatch open - that makes wonders. There is...

vkx86

Fair enough for that ERF point. Any recommend for that solar diagonal? Something that is not another crazy expensive product? I have only one mirror diagonal in my collection. It's 2" mirror diagonal that came with my Skywatcher ED80. It's quality, solid diagonal and works perfectly with my Qu...

vkx86

I guess there is no point using UV/IR cut filter if you have D-ERF, which passes only H-alpha line, but if that's D-ERF that passes Ca-K line, there is point in using UV/IR cut filter for visual - UV isn't good for our eyes. Regarding diagonals - only mirror ones fits for solar. There is some merit ...

vkx86

but unfortunately that's not the case for several countries in South America (including Brazil) and most of them in Asia and Africa (including India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and all petrol Emirates, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan, Vietnam) which have political and/or econo...

vkx86

Given the QPE pricing, one could incorporate a fused silica solid etalon from Light Machinery, etc. into a TEC controlled housing, and not have to deal with biferingence issues, polaroid's, etc. Made with an FSR of about 6 A, one could then use a Lunt et.al. blocking filter, as was done with the Co...

vkx86

With the price of optical grade mica going up and availability going down it will be interesting how the Quark market will respond. It surprises me prices are going down with the Quarks, maybe this price cut is a pretext to prices going up when the stock Telescope Express goes and new comes in... D...

vkx86

Applying pressure with some kind of braces and other hacks to make a contact in loose socket is a way to nowhere. With some good soldering skills you can re-solder a new socket. Or pay some money to electronics/smartphones repair shop to re-solder a new socket for you. The interesting thing is that ...

vkx86

Here’s a quick find. Mica has been synthesized. https://www.miningvalleys.com/synthetic-mica-vs-natural-mica/ Interesting. Synthetic Mica Flake Sizes: >5mm, 1-5mm Applications: Pearl pigment, Mica paper, Mica tape Insulation Seems in these sizes it's of no use in solid etalons. I think one need a p...

vkx86

TareqPhoto wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 5:51 am i have like 8 scopes and i am not done, and none of them as high end.

8 scopes and not done yet?!
Seems you have a GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) - you need to manage that condition, start to thin your scopes herd

vkx86

christian viladrich wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:42 am This is an excellent video ! Thanks for sharing. A link to bo be saved preciously.

It's my genuine pleasure to share useful information with community, from which I'd learned so much (you included)!

vkx86

Take a look on that PST etalon restoration video.
Translate from Russian to English works quite well.
He used thin covering glass that is used in microscopy to find appropriate pieces of glass to use as spacers.

vkx86

If the Taiwanese and Chinese manufacturers start manufacturing solar telescopes widespread, Ha and CaK it may end up being an upsetter for companies like Lunt and Coronado because they may get terribly undersold. They probably would not match Lunt's quality but many people starting out or people wh...

vkx86

That very informative video (Оптимальное питание во время войны, режим питания, доступные источники витамина С) from that doctor from Ukraine maybe of some help in a situation of limited food supplies. Comments section also contains a wealth of information.
Keep safe!

vkx86

I would go with Achro 127mm. Should be perfect scope for all-things Solar.

vkx86

Got these magnetic micro-USB cables for use with Quark from eBay. Highly recommended instead of stock cable - braided flexible cable and that detachable magnetic shoe makes a big difference in use. Search for 180°/360° magnetic micro usb if you want one. https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/uAMAAOSwzJFf6v...

vkx86

Ah yes, so then i better pass that UV/IR cut filter, but, later if i will use the wedge for WL and K-Line filter then i think i will use UV/IR cut instead. So that Baader 35nm Ha is a regular narrowbanding filter or it is a filter designed for solar ERF? For WL with wedge, Baader Continuum is usual...

vkx86

I am just asking, i might try, or not, depending on people suggestions or opinions, i already have the filter, and i am planning to buy another UV/IR cut filter so i use this dedicated only for solar things, i don't want to keep swapping filters between DSO and solar and planetary, and it is a chea...

vkx86

Pax Americana has ended? Perhaps . But Putin and Russia now appear to be feared and despised throughout the civilized democratic world - and Putin did it all by himself. A titanic shift in perceived realities will occur. I wonder if you would have been so opposed individuals sending funds directly ...

vkx86

...and also i was assuming that maybe with another Ha i might get sharper solar Ha then. ...Plossl of TV, i really don't know why they said that, is that true? or just Market hype things, if it is true then i can't blind myself about it, and i I have bought colored filters in the past, i really rea...

vkx86

From a chat with Jen the week I bought the PE and the Quark she explained that there are only a few good Mica mines and one of the best is in Russia ... Also that it is quite difficult to get good sheets from the raw slugs or stones or whatever it is called. Lots of trial & error ... Yup. Most ...

vkx86

Ok, so i better go with Ha filter or Red to have better signal for Ha in solar? Will my Ha 3nm be any good here? I saw different brands for Plossls and cheaper, i am sure they are all good, but is good enough to choose or people only think of highest quality? I was thinking like, highest quality on...

vkx86

Congrats on new toy! 2 - UV/IR cut filter still transfers 50% of Sun's energy in visible spectrum. Baader CCD Red/35 nm will block almost all energy and pass only red part for H-alpha. 6 - You don't have to buy TV EPs. GSO Plossls, which I use, are very good. Baader Plossls are also very good. Get 4...

vkx86

The entire world is appalled by the first hand reports and news coverage and want to help. The fear of triggering a much larger conflict has the west walking a razors edge in their decisions on what to do to help. Sadly, the Russian media can only report the ' Putin version of the truth' and outsid...

vkx86

You can help fund either humanitarian aid or military aid, or both. I can't recall any conflict in recent times that armaments and ammo supply wasn't took care of in the first place. Your govt./NATO supplied and will supply endless stream of armaments and ammo for that conflict directly from your t...

vkx86

I was born and grown in ex-USSR and very saddened to see these terrible events unfolding...common people are always just pawns and servicemen are just cannon fodder in these geo-politic power games...
Stay safe and try to survive that horrible mess without harm...

vkx86

FYI, that focuser mentioned in that post on CN:
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/8091 ... r-lunt-50/
with some details.

vkx86

It will not be completed until you make the shim between EAF mounting plate and aluminum extension tube and paint all black or white ;-)

vkx86

I think it can be used with ole good TZ-4 without problems if you have full-aperture D-ERF - it's modular design and it's native 3X telecentric has same T2 connection as TZ-4. Baader states in SunDancer manual that forthcoming TZ-4 will be additional accessory and blocking filter from TZ-3 must be s...

vkx86

Jochen, such a stunning wild-life shots!

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