SolarChat!

SimonM

HI Simon, sounds like you have a de-contacted etalon from your description. The image(s) will be of the photosphere, and there are multiple similar off-band images smearing off the one side. This was caused by a mechanical jolt that was strong enough to overcome the molecular forces binding the eta...

SimonM

Camera on the SolarQuest mount is only used for acquisition and not for tracking, according to Sky-Watcher tech support. I'm using only a "low tech" acquisition method using only the Tele-Vue Sol Searcher. Tracking is just the mount in Sun mode. When clouds move it, tracking becomes errat...

SimonM

It’s possible you might have a problem with your double stack filter Simon. I hope not, but there’s always the possibility that etalons can be damaged in transit. Although it’s important to spend some time tuning the single stack filter first, you should see a significant improvement in surface det...

SimonM

Given the opportunity to own either the new Lunt 100 Double Stacked or the new Lunt 130 Double Stacked, imaging as the foremost interest, with slightly above average seeing conditions, would you go for the 130 and just use an aperture mask on less than stellar days or pick the 100? Without hesitati...

SimonM

Hi Stu Any frequency counter can be "lumpy" and so they provide an indication of frequency without repeatable accuracy. I found to get a repeatable accuracy e.g. 50,004 Hz and the same reading again and again, I had to count pulses over a longer time interval. The sample code measured the ...

SimonM

I have a couple of questions e.g. for Stu and also an update of where I reached with these interesting low cost sensors. For anyone contemplating trying this, it's easy to get something from the sensor, but much harder to get reliable data out. Other sensors e.g. integrated sensors (IC) are not suff...

SimonM

I have six 7" square "pavers", which are similar to the tiles used on some driveways. I also have bags of MOT in my garage. MOT is something that combines small and medium sized aggregates in a powder that looks a bit like cement. It is used to create a firm footing under concrete e.g...

SimonM

This morning I was able to try the LS60MT SS with the front mounted LS60FHa e.g. without the internal etalon module. The sky was a bit hazy but the conclusion is that focusing in the edge of the Sun was only effective around 3/4 of the diameter. I tried varying the angle of the front etalon and also...

SimonM

I'm aiming for a simple go/no go visual test this week to show in the SS format that all is basically well e.g. the numerous carriers involved didn't break it en-route. Lunt produces a good product, has good packaging, excellent Customer Service, but they absolve themselves from shipping damage e.g....

SimonM

Ok Simon, with that knowledge, then I would suggest that if you get used to (when the clouds allow) the SS and then start some imaging trials through that one, ready for better comparisons to the change-over of the two Etalons - would actually be better for you to make the comparisons, rather than ...

SimonM

I can't see any benefit in changing around the Etalons for your scope - even if that was possible. Thanks for this and other helpful advice/info earlier. As Marty says, it is possible to use both etalons in an SS configuration. Lunt sell a "combo" of blocking filter/diagonal (B600/B1200) ...

SimonM

I have an LS60MT SS internal etalon and also a LS60FHa DS front etalon. The same LS60FHa and a B600/B1200 blocking filter/diagonal is sold as a package for converting nighttime scopes. I want to evaluate the two etalons in SS mode - is that possible? As supplied the internal SS and (slight mod/recon...

SimonM

I can't get over the weather. New equipment, generally means weeks of rain and clouds. Today was pretty good. In the morning, there was plenty of blue sky, although it did later on spot with rain - I was glad of a swing bin liner to cover the scope. Later on things were pretty much ideal. Today was ...

SimonM

Nice one Simon on the discarded LS300T eh ?? Not sure if they make bin-bags that big !! ha ha I have been taking a 50L swing bin liner out with the scope. This morning I covered the scope and popped inside. Weather changed and there was a hint of rain - had to bring it all inside quickly. A few spo...

SimonM

The biggest problem is always the weather and especially at this time of the year as well. With that in mind, can I suggest that you have a handy "Bin Bag" type for a quick-covering - should it be required and also useful to keep the dust away - when not in use? Terry - the weather is alw...

SimonM

Looking for good weather and clear skies today. At one o'clock today, I went out into the garden with my mount because there were few clouds above and the sun was occasionally poking out from the clouds elsewhere. Whilst waiting for the sunshine, I setup the LS60MT and attempted to align it with the...

SimonM

Scope, DS & EP arrived this morning - a day earlier than I was expecting. It was raining yesterday, cloudy today and the forecast looks mostly cloudy for the rest of the week - that's how it goes! BBC forecast does mention some sunshine Thursday/Friday - they don't always get it right (great sto...

SimonM

Sounds like you are about to get a very nice present from Lunt, especially as you have requested the DS and scope to be tested together at source. LS60TCak/B1200/FT LUNT 60mm Calcium-K/BF1200/FeatherTouch SolarScope - all ordered and delivered together in May 2010. As well as a 558211/LS1.25HW LUNT...

SimonM

Hi All, I have not been so active here for about six months. I asked some questions about the Lunt Solar scopes and made up my mind to order an LS60MT with B1200, the 60mm Double Stack and the Lunt 7.2-21.5mm zoom EP. That was back in February and the lead time quoted was about 10 weeks. The lead ti...

SimonM

Looking at the Wedge pointing down - that seems like a good idea. For visual and imaging, it makes sense to have it pointing up. I can see an advantage if I was to "switch out" the supplied ND and/or Solar Continuum filter and use the additional photographic versions (supplied with my Baad...

SimonM

The etalon has two parallel surfaces which are very close together. When you use the pressure tuner, you vary the air pressure but don't change the spacing. So if (as suggested) there is moisture between the two plates, the bubbles won't change their size. Perhaps if you use it (and ignore what you ...

SimonM

This is really interesting stuff. How much does a capable magnetometer cost? Hardware: 1x Arduino Leonardo (about £23 or $19 at Amazon) 1x Fluxgate Magnetometer - see https://www.fgsensors.com/shop 1x Mag Shield (optional) but it helps with a stable PSU, a display, and Prescaler and fits on the Ard...

SimonM

Here is the output (a few words) later on:

: Screenshot 2021-06-01 at 01.59.56.png (570.75 KiB) Viewed 1192 times

Simon

SimonM

My sensor is still buried in the garden, but now inside a ‘coolbox’. Yours sounds like an interesting plan. It will be interesting to see how you progress with this. Hi Stu, I hope you find the following entertaining... :seesaw I bought a single fg-3 sensor and a Mag Shield (in kit form) for an Ard...

SimonM

Also one USB 3.0 "active" cable 5 meters long stopped working ... And the new one only delivers now 13 fps ... The H..l knows why ... USB 2 has cables up to 5m. USB 3 has no official maximum length but cables up to 3m are produced. Is an "active" cable able to overcome these lim...

SimonM

Great to hear of your interest, Simon. The guide I produced and which Alexandra kindly referenced has since been updated. Stu. Thanks for your kind encouragement. I was impressed by the way that you produce regular reports in a consistent and useful way. I have been collecting information including...

SimonM

I was interested in measuring solar wind via the changes in the magnetic field and spurred on by the frequent reports by Stu (Carbon60) I thought I would "have a go" at measuring it here in Hampshire, UK. In the UK there are only a few local magnetic observation stations: Hartland, Eskdale...

SimonM

Recently there was a good book recommendation for - 15 Million Degrees: https://solarchatforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=30635#p279997 It was a great book - now all read (finished) and I revisited the Youtube videos as well, as some of the time-lapse videos complement the book very well. One subje...

SimonM

Simon2940 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 01, 2021 6:51 pm On paper, the QE in HA is a lot higher than the IMX174 based cameras so this should have been better.

The cells are 40% smaller (by area) so any apparent increase in QE will be reduced by this amount, too.

Simon

SimonM

With a Herschel wedge I always found you had to flip the image vertically not horizontally, does that work for you? It is certainly true that a wedge will (like a diagonal) "flip" the image vertically, but with a refractor (like a straight thru' finder) the image is already inverted (rota...

SimonM

1. Sunspot is at 03:00 (on a clock); Hi Simon, Three o'Clock, is West !, is on the right side and so your Titling sun Sun image is wrong, You should NOT flip the image horizontally. 12 o'Clock is North 3 o'Clock is West 6 o'Clock is South 9 o'Clock is East Make your life easy. Take a look at my ima...

SimonM

I did some maths and sunspot relative to "north" was 3 - 5:30 = - 2:30 or -37.5 degrees. Since the Sun is already tilted at -21 degrees, this is only -37.5 - (-21) = -16.5 degrees. If I flip the image of the Sun horizontally and remember that the sunspot is 80% out, then I get a location a...

SimonM

Today we had an (unusually) fine morning and early afternoon with seemingly few clouds. Out with the WL wedge and a sketch was made. Now I'm trying to work out where the sunspot is located using TiltingSun. An Equatorial mount with a WL wedge - I flipped the image in TiltingSun to match the view see...

SimonM

Thanks go to Alexandra and Brian for organizing and for Christian V. and Bob Y. et alii, for educating us.

Simon

SimonM

I would be interested in the Zoom meeting - more to listen and learn as I'm very much a newbie. One topic I would like to see listed is how to assess sky seeing conditions in the daytime without resorting to buying an AiryLab Solar Scintillation Monitor (SSM). My understanding is that a scope that r...

SimonM

We are told that plate area determines the approximate etalon cost e.g. bigger, means relatively longer to grind and finish, which seems very plausible. The cost of making stuff also has an influence on the final price, which affects the sales and also the viability of products. I'm still coming to ...

SimonM

The only (mainstream) brand ... here is Baader In my mind, Baader makes very good products - even "bargains". I recently bought one of their Baader 2" Cool-Ceramic Safety Herschel Prisms - the Photographic version, that is UK competitively priced IMHO considering the five filters tha...

SimonM

Wow. $779 for the Lunt 50mm DS filter in the States. The same filter is £1,349 in the UK. At today’s exchange rate, that’s a smidgeon under $1900. :o Mark, would you say that is the equivalent of highway robbery e.g. "Highbury"? :band Dick Turpin.jpg Or, is the correct Solar Term "da...

SimonM

[LS50 - 20mm PST (40mm) - 20mm The Lunt website has some SS etalon clear aperture sizes (LS50 = 26mm): Aperture: Lunt @ 50mm / PST @ 40mm Etalon Clear Aperture: Lunt @ 26mm / PST @ 18mm LS152THa unobstructed internal HD Etalon For front-mounted DS, no size is given (I assumed it was full width e.g....

SimonM

I bought mine in 2014 for £295. Current on sale at Microglobe for £149. It’s a total steal at that price. Only one negative - it was designed for spotting scopes, so is a poor nighttime performer. That is a very good price! You can pay more and £295 is currently an option too! You can tell that it ...

SimonM

The advantage of an external front-mounted etalon is, The sweet spot (Jacquinot spot) is much larger with an externally-mounted etalon. Does the sweet spot covers about 1.25 "diameters" of the Sun with the smaller LS 60/80 scopes, SS but also DS? In effect, the designs use the minimum eta...

SimonM

Brian, the Northern Cardinal probably thinks, like you, that a little sunshine, goes a long way. He is probably saying "I spend all this time getting the kit (the feathers etc.) looking good and for what- it's overcast?". Pictured in the sunshine, he looks a zillion (cardinal) times better...

SimonM

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the Lunt external 60 DS with an adapter versus using the internal 80 DS? And is the difference worth the additional cost of the 80mm scope when considering the 60mm seems to perform extremely well in DS configuration? I really feel the 80mm apertur...

SimonM

I asked the same question with Lunt Support only a couple of weeks ago. They did say that there really is no need to undo the Pressure Tuning knob between sessions. The first time it resets the pressure for the altitude and thereafter it should be fine.

Simon

SimonM

2) thinking about pixel size, FPS and size sensor, should i buy the qhy (or zwo) 178 or 290? The sensor and pixel size of the ARO130 is the same as IMX224. As a comparison, the 178 is 7.37mm x 5.63mm. QHY5-III_Series.png The small sensor of the ARO130 is only 4.8mm x 3.6mm which means that with a 4...

SimonM

The dust bunny, by its size, is a piece of crud somewhere between the top of the wedge face and the chip. If you have a UV/IR or continuum filter here then this is where it is. Previously, for the dust bunny: 1. It is too big to be on the sensor. Conclusion: not on the sensor; 2. Previously, I said...

SimonM

I would have thought that a 7Gb capture is a bit over the top for WL, but others will likely know better than me... Thanks, Terry. Agreed - too much video. We had some thin cloud passing in front of the Sun (interesting and infuriating to watch at the same time) and then a clear patch, so I let the...

SimonM

I'm somewhere between a returned Quark Chronosphere (with some issues) and getting an h-alpha scope (most likely a Lunt LS60MT). We had some sunshine this morning in Hampshire, so I thought it a good idea to dust off the ol' refractor, solar wedge, and collect some WL video. The seeing conditions we...

SimonM

Have Lunt said what diameter the etalon is in the 60MT? The 60 front-mounted DS etalon has a 60mm clear aperture. The 60 internal pressure-tuned etalon is smaller - probably half the size (or less). In comparison, the 50 internal pressure-tuned etalon is a 26mm clear aperture. Similarly, the 80 int...

SimonM

Suggestion is to start with the Blocking Filter half in to the focuser and the focuser at the midpoint. A clue is that any adjustment (difference) will be the same across scopes using the same EP and camera.

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