SolarChat!

Some of you may find these useful.

http://www.daystarfilters.com/FlatCap/Index.shtml

Yes spotted these had appeared recently. We've been doing this for years here on solar chat using plastic bags. I wonder if when people complain about the unevenness of their quarks for imaging Daystar will tell them they need one of these...

marktownley wrote: ↑Fri Dec 04, 2020 6:03 pm Yes spotted these had appeared recently. We've been doing this for years here on solar chat using plastic bags. I wonder if when people complain about the unevenness of their quarks for imaging Daystar will tell them they need one of these...

That’s what they suggested when I complained about my Quantum PE (see the quantum thread).

torsinadoc wrote: ↑Fri Dec 04, 2020 6:16 pm That’s what they suggested when I complained about my Quantum PE (see the quantum thread).

marktownley wrote: ↑Fri Dec 04, 2020 6:03 pm Yes spotted these had appeared recently. We've been doing this for years here on solar chat using plastic bags. I wonder if when people complain about the unevenness of their quarks for imaging Daystar will tell them they need one of these...

I quote every word.
I am wondering the exchange rate of 69 USD in terms of equivalent rolls of plastic wrap
Fabio

Hi,

Long time ago I build a Flatmaker using and embroidery ring and paper and then for my Mewlon 250 I went to a company which cuts with Laser.

So I spend 12000 bucks for a QUANTUM PE 0.4Å and then I need a Flatmaker


The Flatmaker below cost me about 15 bucks

You are certainly creative, Rainer.

rsfoto wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 4:12 pm So I spend 12000 bucks for a QUANTUM PE 0.4Å and then I need a Flatmaker

Shouldn't be that way

rsfoto wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 4:12 pm Hi,

Long time ago I build a Flatmaker using and embroidery ring and paper and then for my Mewlon 250 I went to a company which cuts with Laser.

So I spend 12000 bucks for a QUANTUM PE 0.4Å and then I need a Flatmaker

Hi Rainer,
The embroidery ring is brilliant!
Now that you made me think about it, there are similar wooden rings used to build the frame of sieves for sifting flour, useful for smaller apertures.
I am borrowing your idea right away

Fabio

Brilliant idea to use embroidery ring but a PE shouldn't need flats due to poor uniformity.

torsinadoc wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 8:37 pm but a PE shouldn't need flats due to poor uniformity.

I agree

Hi All...

The responses form Daystar regarding anything to do with their filters is disappointing at best...usually a defensive stance and there is user error or no way to remedy issues on their part.

Now, flats will likely still be needed to remove dust bunnies that are in the optical train and camera optical window but not for that high end filter.

Brian

Looked at the video on their page on how to use it. Particulary enjoyed the part where the guy is saying to "trash this Quark, our customers will never get such a bad one" . Maybe he should come and look at mine, which now serves as excellent paper weight.

Paul

MapleRidge wrote: ↑Sun Dec 06, 2020 12:52 pm
Now, flats will likely still be needed to remove dust bunnies that are in the optical train and camera optical window but not for that high end filter.

Brian

This is true for sure.

Those embroidery rings Rainer uses may do good mounting Baader AstroSolar film for white light too.

DeepSolar64 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 06, 2020 6:38 pm Those embroidery rings Rainer uses may do good mounting Baader AstroSolar film for white light too.

Hi James,

Yes but be careful with that. Make sure it is well fixed on the shade ...

Hi,

I know this has nothing to do with Solar imaging but for all those who also make DSO imaging here a focusing aid for your telescope also based on an embroidery ring

This gives great diffraction spikes ...

Just take some mosquito wire mesh and press it into the ring.

That's pretty neat Rainer.

So I guess we now have a follow up to the bahtinov mask. What should we call it?

Hi,

All this is for flatting either the Sun or the DSO Objects and focusing DSO obejects.

What we really need is a focusing aid for the Sun ... additional to our eyes and experience ...

I know some rely on the SSM meters and automatic start and stop of the video acquiring but ...

rsfoto wrote: ↑Tue Dec 08, 2020 4:54 pm What we really need is a focusing aid for the Sun ... additional to our eyes and experience ...

For imaging, both Firecapture and Genika have a focus aid, (not sure about other software!), can't say as I bother with either. When imaging I just view image at 100% size and focus that way.

and Genika has autofocus (works very well)
Attacheh a file on how to focus using the histogram (would quote the author, but no way I can find it back)

Paul

Hi Mark and Paul,

Thanks for mentioning it and now I remember that even my very old acquisition software Lucam Recorder has a focusing aid based on contrast.

Unfortunately the author was called by himself to do something better but the project failed misereably and he abandoned the development of his software. That happens when people try to reach the stars but barely have arms long enough to reach the moon ...




Now from FLATs we landed at focusing