Search found 994 matches
- Mon Jan 09, 2023 12:40 am
- Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
- Topic: First light of LS60FHa. Tuning problem?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 3104
Re: First light of LS60FHa. Tuning problem?
Looks like case 3 or 4 in Christian's "sweet spot banding" article - the CWL of the etalon appears too high to give uniform and on-band contrast. I would consider return for exchange / replacement by a new one, or a refund. Lunt is usually very good about these situations.
- Sun Jan 08, 2023 4:36 pm
- Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
- Topic: First light of LS60FHa. Tuning problem?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 3104
Re: First light of LS60FHa. Tuning problem?
The best way to definitively evaluate the etalon is to use a H alpha spectrum tube. Are you near a school that has a science department with a Hydrogen spectrum tube? If you can get access to one, you can place a frosted plastic diffuser over it and check the etalon fringes. For an air-spaced etalon...
- Sat Jan 07, 2023 6:37 pm
- Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
- Topic: Current options for a C6-R focuser upgrade?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2557
Re: Current options for a C6-R focuser upgrade?
Hi Bill, Solar observing and equipment is a specialty, and your nighttime DSO observing and imaging will not prepare you in any way for it. Do you have previous experience with solar H alpha? If not IMHO you're putting the cart before the horse. My sincere recommendation is that you first get a reas...
- Thu Jan 05, 2023 9:40 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Progress of solar cycle 25
- Replies: 10
- Views: 540
Re: Progress of solar cycle 25
FYI - I just noticed the updated Helio4Cast plot is using the wrong start date for Solar Cycle 25 (red arrow): Cycle 25 prediction start dates.png If one shifted the red curve 6 months to the left on the chart to reflect the actual Cycle 25 start, it appears that the current smoothed average sunspot...
- Tue Jan 03, 2023 5:27 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Progress of solar cycle 25
- Replies: 10
- Views: 540
Re: Progress of solar cycle 25
Hi John, Appreciate the feedback. I've added a bullseye to the diagram I posted above to show two differing predictions and where the latest smoothed susnpot number terminates (6 month lag period to calculate). So right now it's difficult to say which prediction may be the more accurate. The ISES pr...
- Tue Jan 03, 2023 1:38 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Tuning animation - Sweet-spot issue rather than tuning inability with Lunt internal DS?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 603
Re: Tuning animation - Sweet-spot issue rather than tuning inability with Lunt internal DS?
The primary PT etalon is most likely not tilted, but it appears the secondary DS PT etalon might in order to move reflections between the etalons.
- Tue Jan 03, 2023 1:22 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Progress of solar cycle 25
- Replies: 10
- Views: 540
Re: Progress of solar cycle 25
Hello John, Thank you for the update. However, I'm a little confused by the statements that "Solar Cycle 25 had a slow start...," followed by "While solar cycle 25 is off to a strong start, it may not stay that active. Cycle 24 also started strong but then weakened over time." Fr...
- Mon Jan 02, 2023 2:44 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Tuning animation - Sweet-spot issue rather than tuning inability with Lunt internal DS?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 603
Re: Tuning animation - Sweet-spot issue rather than tuning inability with Lunt internal DS?
Hi Alexandros, If you examine the ISOON diagram above, you’ll see the two 150 mm etalons are normal to the optical axis with a tilted polarizer “reflection suppressor” between them. Unfortunately, assuming it is tilted - you can’t (easily) de-tilt the etalon inside the collimator PT module, and you ...
- Mon Jan 02, 2023 4:12 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Tuning animation - Sweet-spot issue rather than tuning inability with Lunt internal DS?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 603
Re: Tuning animation - Sweet-spot issue rather than tuning inability with Lunt internal DS?
I think you'll find the answer is here . Christian's treatise explains why a front mounted etalon with a CWL close to being on-band with minimal tilt will almost always produce the most uniform full-disc constrast of any air-spaced etalon arrangement, especially when double stacked. gallery_3892_822...
- Wed Dec 28, 2022 2:08 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Composite FD 22 Dec 2022. Still not tuned in DS...
- Replies: 8
- Views: 340
Re: Composite FD 22 Dec 2022. Still not tuned in DS...
Hi Alexandros, Alexandra's image is a great comparison image. You do indeed remain about 0.5 A or more off-band. You are likely in the blue wing given that you state your primary etalon pressure tuner is almost all the way in (higest pressure) to achieve anything close to being on-band. If this is t...
- Sun Dec 25, 2022 5:21 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: MERRY CHRISTMAS!
- Replies: 6
- Views: 245
Re: MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Indeed, Merry Christmas!
And wishing everyone a brighter and happier upcoming trip around the Sun!
Bob
And wishing everyone a brighter and happier upcoming trip around the Sun!
Bob
- Thu Dec 22, 2022 4:52 pm
- Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
- Topic: SolarMax II Uneven Limb Darkening
- Replies: 16
- Views: 2362
Re: SolarMax II Uneven Limb Darkening
I did not have a de-laminated ITF filter but it got blind, as usual with the Coronado ITF filters, and I just took it out and replaced it by a spare 12nm Astronomik H-alpha filter. Works since more then >2 years problem free. Yup, that would work well Rainer. Lost In Space DOES NOT COMPUTE.jpg The ...
- Sat Dec 17, 2022 2:38 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: De-contacted etalon?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 376
Re: De-contacted etalon?
1. The LS50C fringes are a bit asymmetrical, and the fringes are not very crisp and narrow. This might be due to camera effets (maybe not focued at infinity) and/or movement. I don't think it is decontacted. 2. However, judging by the quite large diameter of the LS50C's central fringe ring, you have...
- Tue Dec 13, 2022 12:20 am
- Forum: Solar Reference Library
- Topic: Is it possible to false colourize a grayscale H-alpha photo objectively in RGB?
- Replies: 26
- Views: 5265
Re: Is it possible to false colourize a grayscale H-alpha photo objectively in RGB?
Hi Warren & Robert, With my RGB processing, I find it works best when you don't use jpg or other significantly compressed file formats. Here's a full disc grey scale image that I had saved as a png, RGB split and combined for an Ha colored png. I then copied both, reduced the size, and then save...
- Mon Dec 12, 2022 2:40 am
- Forum: Solar Reference Library
- Topic: Is it possible to false colourize a grayscale H-alpha photo objectively in RGB?
- Replies: 26
- Views: 5265
Re: Is it possible to false colourize a grayscale H-alpha photo objectively in RGB?
Hi Alexandros, I'm not familiar with PS, as I use Paint Shop Pro instead, but the process will be essentially the same. Here's an example greyscale image: Image2.jpg In PSP I choose Colors > Split channel > Split to RGB . This will give you 3 identical greyscale R, G, and B images to manipulate. Sel...
- Sun Dec 11, 2022 10:03 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: First light of DS Lunt130MT - Need for advice on tuning
- Replies: 25
- Views: 1160
Re: First light of DS Lunt130MT - Need for advice on tuning
Once "satisfied" by the result (make the difference between limb and disk minimum or zero), do you confirm that I should go back to the first etalon and slightly re-tune it anyway or only if I keep seeing a double limb? In other words, is the disappearance of the double limb my absolute c...
- Sun Dec 11, 2022 8:47 pm
- Forum: Solar Reference Library
- Topic: Is it possible to false colourize a grayscale H-alpha photo objectively in RGB?
- Replies: 26
- Views: 5265
Re: Is it possible to false colourize a grayscale H-alpha photo objectively in RGB?
Hi Alexandros, There certainly are a lot of RGB color conversion applications to achieve a realistic and valid color approximation. Here's one that is easy to use by just entering the wavelength and it gives you the corresponding RGB values. My results for the Baader continuum filter at 540 nm: Baad...
- Sat Dec 10, 2022 5:08 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: First light of DS Lunt130MT - Need for advice on tuning
- Replies: 25
- Views: 1160
Re: First light of DS Lunt130MT - Need for advice on tuning
Hello Alexandros, Both George and Mark reported a double limb that is visible. I can see only a lighter limb edge that may be the result of process in ImPPG, while I was trying to make the prom better visible. I attached below the stacked image with no further process at all. Do you still see a doub...
- Mon Nov 28, 2022 2:27 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: From Valery. Kherson liberation.
- Replies: 24
- Views: 918
Re: From Valery. Kherson liberation.
Ditto ditto ditto ditto ditto ditto!
- Wed Nov 23, 2022 2:11 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Test/Problem with DS Lunt-Quark Chromosphere
- Replies: 6
- Views: 371
Re: Test/Problem with DS Lunt-Quark Chromosphere
Hi Alexandros, The best way to double stack would be a front etalon, but these are generally not available above 100mm diameter. So the next best is a second internal DS collimator/etalon from Lunt. Next would be an optimized telecentric/mica etalon system - with the Quark being the last option. As ...
- Tue Nov 22, 2022 4:48 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Valery
- Replies: 42
- Views: 1738
Re: Valery
I just received word from Markus Ludes: Final valery called me yesterday after 10 day silent. No heat , no electricity, little poor foot . They can do little head and electricity now by gas generator . He got poorly sick from last 10 days. He ask me that you pas greetings to people knowing him , tel...
- Tue Nov 22, 2022 3:22 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Test/Problem with DS Lunt-Quark Chromosphere
- Replies: 6
- Views: 371
Re: Test/Problem with DS Lunt-Quark Chromosphere
Is there any theoretical reason why a Quark could not work with a Lunt etalon? It depends on what you mean by “work.” It can work, the question is will it work well . This depends on the quality of the Quark etalon. These are generally going to be of more variable and likely of lesser uniformity th...
- Fri Nov 11, 2022 6:56 am
- Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
- Topic: sweet spot and f/d effect
- Replies: 22
- Views: 3911
Re: sweet spot and f/d effect
I stand corrected. I spoke to Brian at Lunt and despite the cutaway diagram above he stated the LS60 singlet was indeed f4, which required a unique corrected collimator lens in order to correct the singlet's aberrations. He stated that it would be very difficult to use it with any other objective. T...
- Thu Nov 10, 2022 3:39 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Valery
- Replies: 42
- Views: 1738
Re: Valery
Hello everyone, I reached out to Markus Ludes at APM to see if he had heard from Valery - Markus was the best-man at Valery's wedding and Valery told me that if was able to get out of Kherson he might make the move for getting his family to Germany and restart his life and business. Markus sent me t...
- Wed Nov 09, 2022 11:23 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Valery
- Replies: 42
- Views: 1738
Re: Valery
I have attempted to contact Valery multiple times via email and have had not received any replies. This was my last communication with him late last month: Hi Bob, There were significant problems with internet access and with cell phones network access, so I was not able to reply promptly. As for no...
- Tue Nov 08, 2022 10:08 pm
- Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
- Topic: sweet spot and f/d effect
- Replies: 22
- Views: 3911
Re: sweet spot and f/d effect
Hello Oleg, How do you know the the objective's focal length of 256.6 mm shown above? If that is for the modular LS60 telescope, it is clearly erroneous, as for nighttime use (i.e. with the H alpha etalon module removed) the LS60 modular is listed as having a 420 mm focal length, or 420/60 = f7. A c...
- Tue Nov 08, 2022 6:06 pm
- Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
- Topic: sweet spot and f/d effect
- Replies: 22
- Views: 3911
Re: sweet spot and f/d effect
Hello Oleg, I'm not really sure what you're describing to me - and I'm not sure where the f4 and 2x Barlow is coming from - here's what I see for the LS60 layout, and showing the internal etalon collimator and refocusing lens positions: Lunt LS60 layout.jpg The lower drawing appears to be the dimens...
- Tue Nov 08, 2022 4:56 pm
- Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
- Topic: Doublestack for mod
- Replies: 50
- Views: 11776
Re: Doublestack for mod
Hi Ivan, I'm not sure how it looks visually, but via the images, your DIY double stacking system looks like it's performing much better than I would have estimated it would - and you're especially fortunate that you're not having to deal with internal reflections and use of a circular polarizer to s...
- Sat Nov 05, 2022 4:26 pm
- Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
- Topic: sweet spot and f/d effect
- Replies: 22
- Views: 3911
Re: sweet spot and f/d effect
"And did somebody already tried to remove the collimating lens from the lunt 50 module and using a simple barlow x2 on a F15 scope?" Hmmm - where to begin. Removing the collimator lens from the a pressure tuned etalon module may render it useless as you will no longer be able to pressure t...
- Thu Nov 03, 2022 4:01 pm
- Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
- Topic: Quantum back focus?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1326
Re: Quantum back focus?
As Mark notes, who knows what the TeleVue Powermates are specified for? They only describe these as being developed for their more recent widefield eyepiece designs. I should also note that the TZ2 and TZ4 were specifically designed for use with an 800 mm FL objective. However, Christian Viladrich a...
- Wed Nov 02, 2022 10:06 pm
- Forum: SPoD Archive
- Topic: Full disc 02-11-2022
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1042
Re: Full disc 02-11-2022
Love the H alpha full-disc with neg proms!
- Wed Nov 02, 2022 10:06 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Full disc 02-11-2022
- Replies: 16
- Views: 545
Re: Full disc 02-11-2022
Love the H alpha full-disc with neg proms!
- Tue Nov 01, 2022 3:36 pm
- Forum: Sunlit Earth
- Topic: North Cascades National Park
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1026
Re: North Cascades National Park
Thank you all :-)
Hello Alexandra - it's a sunset looking east from a valley near Mt. Baker:
Mt. Baker in the distance earlier in the afternoon.
Bob
Hello Alexandra - it's a sunset looking east from a valley near Mt. Baker:
Mt. Baker in the distance earlier in the afternoon.
Bob
- Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:45 pm
- Forum: Sunlit Earth
- Topic: North Cascades National Park
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1026
North Cascades National Park
We've been doing a lot of traveling this past summer, but one of our most memorable trips was just a days drive to Washington State's North Cascades NP. Mt Shuksan small.jpg Mt. Shuksan at sunset on September 1st. A lovely memory and image to hold during the coming winter hibernation season. Bob
- Mon Oct 31, 2022 2:31 pm
- Forum: Sunlit Earth
- Topic: " Día de los Muertos " Day of the Dead
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1088
Re: " Día de los Muertos " Day of the Dead
You'll need to use a Questar as a stand-in for the rest of the collection ;-)I guess she will face trouble after my passing away ... Setting up my telescopes on the altar ...
Bob
- Mon Oct 31, 2022 1:59 pm
- Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
- Topic: Quantum back focus?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1326
Re: Quantum back focus?
See this link , which most importantly shows that the objective's focal plane is located ~ 93 mm behind the front of the TZ4 telecentric lens assembly - which should remain fixed , and the resultant focal plane lies 220 mm past the end of the TZ4. TZ4 config.jpg The Quantum or (Solar Spectrum) etalo...
- Mon Oct 31, 2022 1:23 pm
- Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
- Topic: Repairing a CaK PST
- Replies: 45
- Views: 10876
Re: Repairing a CaK PST
Thanks for finding this Dave! I believe the primary yellow dichroic filter is hard-coated and pretty resilient. The only other issue for visual use would be how far out the Maier filter is blocked for IR out to about 3000+ nm. It might be necessary to employ a KG3 filter for this purpose when the ot...
- Sat Oct 15, 2022 6:01 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Saturday Sunshine 15th October
- Replies: 24
- Views: 776
Re: Saturday Sunshine 15th October
Fantastic CaK images Mark!
- Wed Sep 28, 2022 5:04 am
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: September 24 sun and large prom
- Replies: 20
- Views: 706
Re: September 24 sun and large prom
Really like the results with the LS40! Also appreciate the negative prom and positive disc image.
- Wed Sep 28, 2022 4:55 am
- Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
- Topic: Review of 3 Coronado 90's
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2561
Re: Review of 3 Coronado 90's
These are etalons which have a tuning with a central wavelength that requires excessive tilt and/or richview mechanical pressure tuning to be brought on band. This can produce uneven contrast across the solar disc. Almost every MEADE etalon I have viewed through requires significant tilting to come ...
- Mon Sep 19, 2022 4:13 pm
- Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
- Topic: Review of 3 Coronado 90's
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2561
Re: Review of 3 Coronado 90's
The mica etalon filters are more dependent on the quality of the raw natural material the etalon is made from, it's homogeneity, purity, color, etc. - and then the "luck" of how well a particular mica slice is cleaved and the resultant smoothness of the cleaved surface, and the lack of wed...
- Sun Sep 18, 2022 1:48 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Question on capture settings
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2075
Re: Question on capture settings
My processing is very similar to Christian's, and in my own non-expert experience I have found no significant difference between 8 bit avi and 12 bit ser files and processing. Moreover, compared to most people it seems I generally under-expose my images so as to not blow out active region details, y...
- Tue Sep 13, 2022 5:42 pm
- Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
- Topic: Comparison of Sepctroheliograph, Sundancer2 and Cak Lunt module
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2909
Re: Comparison of Sepctroheliograph, Sundancer2 and Cak Lunt module
Hi Doug,
I stand corrected - that's a spectacular full disc image and the best I now have seen.
Thanks for the link (it didn't come up in a google search), and I'm glad to hear the software processing is much improved. Looking forward to seeing how far you can take angular resolution...
Bob
I stand corrected - that's a spectacular full disc image and the best I now have seen.
Thanks for the link (it didn't come up in a google search), and I'm glad to hear the software processing is much improved. Looking forward to seeing how far you can take angular resolution...
Bob
- Tue Sep 13, 2022 3:08 pm
- Forum: Commercial Solar Filters/Cameras/Hardware
- Topic: Comparison of Sepctroheliograph, Sundancer2 and Cak Lunt module
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2909
Re: Comparison of Sepctroheliograph, Sundancer2 and Cak Lunt module
I've seen this said before. Even though you're looking at one limited wavelength (halpha) you don't need multiple lens, wouldn't though the polish of lens make a difference? A lens with a higher strehl or RMS wave wouldn't give a sharper/crisper image? Not really. Polish is one thing (naturally - b...
- Mon Sep 12, 2022 5:26 pm
- Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
- Topic: Designing a new etalon for halpha
- Replies: 22
- Views: 4892
Re: Designing a new etalon for halpha
This has always intrigued me and I ask now, where can I see a 100% on band H-alpha image ? Hi Rainer, I was referring to a CWL (central wavelength) of the filter system being tuned to be on-band, and this is not the same thing as a 100% on-band image. A 100% on-band image would have no parasitic co...
- Mon Sep 12, 2022 3:59 pm
- Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
- Topic: AP155 and LS80 DSII
- Replies: 32
- Views: 5755
Re: AP155 and LS80 DSII
Hi George, I have found the same thing - 10+ mm shifts in the position of the collimator/etalon assembly do not produce much of a noticeable effect. That being said, I still leave mine at the theoretical optimum position with the coincident collimator and objective focal points. I would think in thi...
- Mon Sep 12, 2022 1:54 pm
- Forum: Solar Scope Modifications
- Topic: Designing a new etalon for halpha
- Replies: 22
- Views: 4892
Re: Designing a new etalon for halpha
The realities of commercial production of etalons for consumer-grade recreational solar astronomy etalons is what I believe the issue really is. I and a few others are or have been lucky enough to own some of the better commercial etalon examples with outstanding performance, but these were not chea...
- Fri Sep 09, 2022 2:13 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: NSO - Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope
- Replies: 12
- Views: 459
Re: NSO - Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope
Yes indeed - that's what you observe during a total solar eclipse!Mix them and you would probably get a magenta-pink!
- Fri Sep 09, 2022 1:47 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: NSO - Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope
- Replies: 12
- Views: 459
Re: NSO - Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope
Awesome resolution, and I note underlying photosphere granulation below the Hb chromosphere.
I re-processed the NSF - NSO image to create the actual color of H Beta with RGB values: R 0 G 239 B 255
Open in new tab and click for larger,
Compressed for posting.
Bob
I re-processed the NSF - NSO image to create the actual color of H Beta with RGB values: R 0 G 239 B 255
Open in new tab and click for larger,
Compressed for posting.
Bob
- Sun Sep 04, 2022 4:52 pm
- Forum: This is SolarChat !!
- Topic: Solar Observing Workshop at Phoenix Challenger Space Center hosted by Kevin LeGore’s FOCUS Astronomy!
- Replies: 1
- Views: 1756
Re: Solar Observing Workshop at Phoenix Challenger Space Center hosted by Kevin LeGore’s FOCUS Astronomy!
Weather prostpects in Phoenix look good:
Maps from WeatherSpark.com
Bob
Maps from WeatherSpark.com
Bob