Some pretty ropy images of the Sun through the PST. It was a howling gale through the bedroom window and there wasn't much time. I think I found the sweet spot for the new PST but it isn't half as even as the old one. I am now worrying about breaking my old PST for the PST mod
The CaK was so faint today at 1/19 second, this is the faintest yet, hopefully this was bad seeing.
You were lucky to see any sun at all today, Alexandra. Nothing useable from here; too wet and windy.
Even when the Sun does show itself, I find it really difficult at this time of the year to get any images worth keeping... almost no detail to be had.
Stu.
H-alpha, WL and Ca II K imaging kit for various image scales.
Fluxgate Magnetometers (1s and 150s Cadence).
Radio meteor detector.
More images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/solarcarbon60/
Nice captures Alexandra! I didn't bother going out yesterday despite the blue skies, it was just too cold and the sun is pretty much continually in the trees where I am. Going to visit my parents in Anglesey over new year period, so hoping for some clear skies then.
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/ Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
Your PST images are very nice. The wintry weather makes them special. Over here, the Monsoon rains reduce chances of imaging to zero in the last 2 weeks.
Regarding PST mod, I did mine with some care and I was able to re-assemble the PSTs for the coming Boxing Day annular eclipse. So you can try both your PSTs and decide on which one to use with the ARIES D-ERF. All the best.
I was thinking (dangerous I know), is it possible to remove the eyepiece bit with the blocking filter etc and change this new one onto my old PST? I think I would prefer to leave my old PST alone but I could do with a better filter to let more light in. I could then use this new one with the PST mod and it would be easier to move the etalon. Also if it isn't quite as even (which it isn't) it won't matter so much in hires? I quite fancy leaving my old one alone now (I'm having second thoughts of nervousness)
Any ideas or help anyone? also any thoughts on how I could get more light through my CaK PST or is that impossible?
Alexandra, great images, I really like the Cak Image.
Martin
H alpha : ,Skywatcher 120mm F8 open frame refractor, a tilted 2" 7nm H-alpha filter as a sub energy rejection filter, Baader TZ4 telecentric focal extender, Player One energy rejection filter, Combo Quark Chromosphere, Naked PST etalon for double stacking, ASI74mm camera
Nice images Alexandra. Glad you were able to use the PSTs
I have two PST Stage 2 Mods and the etalons are very different. It is not easy to get a well balanced on-band image with these mods. The soft spot is the main problem. You can correct with a flat or artificial flat but the results are not always good. I'm using the PSTs mainly for observation with my SW SolarQuest mount. Hope this helps.
Montana wrote: ↑Mon Dec 09, 2019 12:08 pm
Thanks guys for the encouraging words
I was thinking (dangerous I know), is it possible to remove the eyepiece bit with the blocking filter etc and change this new one onto my old PST? I think I would prefer to leave my old PST alone but I could do with a better filter to let more light in. I could then use this new one with the PST mod and it would be easier to move the etalon. Also if it isn't quite as even (which it isn't) it won't matter so much in hires? I quite fancy leaving my old one alone now (I'm having second thoughts of nervousness)
Any ideas or help anyone? also any thoughts on how I could get more light through my CaK PST or is that impossible?
Many thanks
Alexandra
Hi Alexandra,
Just unscrew the black ep section from both PST bodies and swap them over. They just unscrew, use the boa if needed.
CaK PST is a little more difficult; there will be 2 rusty filters here, one in the ep section (the lower bit), and one where the blue anodised band is above the black box and between the tube. They're all easy to fix if you can unscrew them all.
I think you need to try both etalons for best performance, personally I think you'll find the old one works better in both hi-res and also for full disk.
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/ Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
Very nice images Alexandra, I especially like the curly filament! Thanks for sharing.
James
These pretzels are making me thirsty! (C.C.)
The Quark introduced me to this wonderful side of the hobby and the sun hasn’t disappointed yet.
Solar Equipment: Solar Spectrum RG-18 0.3A, Coronado Solarmax 90mm etalon Isle of Man SN-001, Tuscon SN-380 and Meade SM2, Lunt LS80 DS, Quark Chromosphere, Lunt 2" wedge, 2-Lunt CaK II 1200, Baader 3.8 and 5.0 solar film in 208mm cells, and 3D printed Sol'Ex SHG, Lunt 40mm
Coming Soon: Solar Spectrum CaK II <1A filter
10'x15 Roll-off Roof Observatory
Takahashi EM400 Mount carrying:
C14 + Lunt 80ED Deep Sky Work - ASI294MM Pro+EFW 7x36/Canon 60D (Ha mod), ONAG Planetary Work - SBIG CFW10, ASI462MM
2.2m Diameter Dome
iOptron CEM70G Mount carrying:
Orion EON 130ED, f7 OTA for Day & Night Use Ha Setup: Lunt LS80PT/LS75FHa/B1200Ha + Home Brew Lunt Double Stack/B1800Ha on the Orion OTA + Daystar Quantum WL, G-Band & CaK Setup: Lunt Wedge & Lunt B1800CaK, Baader K-Line and Altair 2nm G-Band filter
ASI1600MM, ASI432MM, ASI294MM Pro, ASI174MM, ASI462MM
2019-12-08 12-10-18_f colour by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr
2019-12-08 12-13-01 a by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr
2019-12-08 12-30-25_f colour by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr
Thanks for sharing.