First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

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First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Montana »

:hamster: Today dawned blue sky and I was out at 8am setting up. I had actually been woken up by Stuart as he emailed me at 7am :lol: thanks Stu :) It is so unusual but I had the Hubby's iPhone by my ear as I was using it as an alarm for 3am. I have been getting up at 3am for the last 4 nights to look for Noctilucent clouds but not seen any yet :( So at least this chime enabled me to get out early. I set up the Solar Spectrum and spent the next hour very perplexed, I couldn't achieve focus. I had the instruction manual out, checked the maths, changed things round, then put it all back together again. I then kind of gathered that the focuser tube for the TEC wasn't long enough, so I put a 50mm extension tube on the nose before the TZ4 and viola, focus, phew. What an hour!!

So down to the business. The SS has on the side it's set point being 27 degrees C so I set it for 22 degrees and took an image (no flat) every degree up till 29 degrees. I then went back down to 21 and went down to 19 degrees. Now I know why the Quark costs £1200 and this cost 5x more. But it isn't 5x better it is 100x better. I have control points of 0.1 degree, a beautiful flat field of view and 10x the contrast of the Quark. To move 1 degree in temperature it takes 60 seconds, one knob turn of the Quark takes 10 minutes. My oh my, what a delight this instrument is - once you have fathomed the maths that is :girl:

So photos

ImageSolar Spectrum Solar Observer Series 1.5 25mm 0.3A H-Alpha Filter by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

ImageSolar Spectrum Solar Observer Series 1.5 25mm 0.3A H-Alpha Filter by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

ImageSolar Spectrum Solar Observer Series 1.5 25mm 0.3A H-Alpha Filter by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

ImageSolarspectrum Dial settings by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

I settled on 23.5C as I couldn't make up my mind whether it is 23 or 24. But certainly not 27 ;)

ImageSun_094356_17_07_2021_f colour by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

ImageSun_094356_17_07_2021 by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

ImageSun_100105_17_07_2021_f colour by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

ImageSun_100105_17_07_2021 by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

ImageSun_095322_17_07_2021_f colour by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

ImageSun_095322_17_07_2021 by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

ImageSun_093442_17_07_2021 by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

ImageSun_095952_17_07_2021 by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

ImageSun_095503_17_07_2021 by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

ImageSun_093142_17_07_2021 by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

ImageSun_092348_17_07_2021_f colour by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

ImageSun_092348_17_07_2021 by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr

ImageSun_092248_17_07_2021 by Alexandra Hart, on Flickr


Next job, fathom out the maths for the C11 :shock:

Alexandra


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by EGRAY_OBSERVATORY »

Very well done Alexandra on your 1st light of the Solar Spectrum 0.3A.
Also for that very early start to get these fabulous captures, certainly has been a very worthwhile exercise.

Absolutely excellent captures and especially the prominence capture in both colours...

At last the weather has allowed you to try-out this set-up, which looks quite impressive...

Thanks for sharing
Terry


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Rusted »

Stop it Alexandra! :mad:

You are breaking my heart! :(

Congratulations on your new toy!! :bow

It has gone to a very good home! :bow

Now you can really put us all to shame! :mrgreen:

Did I mention your latest mages are exquisite? :bow


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by LeoD »

It's a top notch stuff, Alexandra!
Amaizing images from the 1st light, congratulations!
What about a forecast suitable to try it with C11?
regards
Leo


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by MAURITS »

Wow Alexandra what a terrific instrument, sush wonderful images.
I can feel your enthusiasm and wish you a lot of great images and a lot of sunshine in the future.


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Ivan »

Alexandra, congratulations !!! A stunning result, and in every sense not earthly beauty. Thanks for another master class.

Ivan


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Petrus »

Congratulations! What a spectacular solar images, Alexandra. Prominence picture is amazing!


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by arnedanielsen »

Alexandra,

Congratulations on your new filter and some stunning pictures! Great work!

PS You need to raise your tripod... the long image-train is almost touching the ground :-)

Best regards,
Arne


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Valtori »

Alexandra!

Congratulations with your new filter and fabulous images!!

Very contrast and even filter!

Val


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by ffellah »

Alexandra: what a fantastic start with your new SS ! I know how much you wanted one and I am very happy you now can finally play with it. Your first images are top notch: can’t wait to see what you will get out of the C11… I hope to learn from you using mine. Love all your images, the prominences are already terrific.

Franco :bow :bow


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by pedro »

FANTASTIC images Alexandra, the SS is working great, I want one...


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Carbon60 »

Excellent first light, Alexandra. My 250mm RCT images were diabolical from this morning. I hope you have better luck than I did with your C11 tomorrow.

Great to hear the SS is a delight to use and the results speak for themselves. :movie :beanie:

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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Geremia Forino »

Absolutely fantastic, Solar Spectrum 0.3A is my dream 😍 I need to collect money 😀


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by DeepSolar64 »

Alexandra,
You have now the highest rated etalons in amateur solar astronomy. Solar Spectrum and Solarscope! Enjoy yourself!

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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Martin_S »

Wow , they are fantastic Alexandra :bow

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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by JochenM »

Cracking shots, Alexandra.

Looks like that Solar Spectrum was worth every cent. Nice uniformity across the entire fov and beautiful detail/contrast.


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by davidem27 »

And so.... :shock:
you got a.... :o
Solar Spectrum.... :D
0.3 Angstrom? :mrgreen:
wiggle.gif
wiggle.gif (469 KiB) Viewed 1290 times
:band

You rock!!!

I was astonishing over this image.
It shows many phenomena to me.
I would like to understand them with all of you
Alexandra_s_SS_image.jpg
Alexandra_s_SS_image.jpg (174.75 KiB) Viewed 1290 times
I touched Alexandra's image, hope this not disturb you, Montana.

The reached resolution shows us very delicate and definited soft arches from a filament to another one.
That's amazing...

Really, really congratulation on your purchase. Maybe it's a state-of-art of filters.

I think you'll never mount on the C11: you'd have to put an ERF before the correction plate, reducing resolution and just to have no enhancement than your actual setup.


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Rusted »

Somebody clever should design a Serrurier truss to support these very long filter stacks.
A few carbon poles strapped around the OTA might work. Though not ideal from a geometrical standpoint.
It isn't so simple to support such a cantilevered assembly on an equatorial due to OTA rotation.
On an altaz a single, carbon pole, of ample girth, would probably have worked.


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by banjo »

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coupe.gif
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bresser/messier 150/1200 (or 200/1800 Istar ) Mod -D-Erf 160mm intern-glasspath 1.25-etalon Pst barlow X2 ASI174
https://astropol.pagesperso-orange.fr/b ... 9/best2019
sorry for my English translators google :mrgreen:
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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by christian viladrich »

:bow Excellent !!


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Montana »

Thanks everyone for all the fabulous comments :hamster: I have really enjoyed myself this weekend.

So to the comments
I can't raise the height of the tripod because any higher and I would need step ladders to mount the telescope, I'm a bit short :)

Yes, the tubes are very long and even though they are all screwed together or click locked there is still some sag. This is evident in that my centre-line is at 23.5 degrees and not 27 degrees as it should be. Some carbon fibre re-enforcement would be great, Rusted, you are very welcome to build some :lol:

Davide, the filament annotation is excellent, it is great to study these regions. Filaments form over a line of neutral magnetic field so it would be sensible that they should form a line and perhaps interconnect. I like what you did and I shall keep that for my records :bow2

Thanks a lot guys, stay safe and hope you have a sunny week.

Alexandra


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by p_zetner »

Beautiful results, Alexandra.
Congratulations on spectacular success with your new filter.
Cheers.
Peter


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Grakrob778 »

Montana wrote: Sun Jul 18, 2021 6:41 pm
Yes, the tubes are very long and even though they are all screwed together or click locked there is still some sag. This is evident in that my centre-line is at 23.5 degrees and not 27 degrees as it should be.


Alexandra
Alexandra,

Your report is fantastic. I have a RG18 0.3A on order. Do you remember the temperature outside when you imaging? Just curious.
PS I have zoomed many times looking at your imaging train on this setup and read a lot on what I will need for my 135mm scope. Very helpful you have done this for all to see. Thank you!

Graham
Last edited by Grakrob778 on Mon Jul 19, 2021 5:51 am, edited 1 time in total.


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by DavidP »

Congratulations Alexandra.
I’m looking foreword to some beautiful images.
I have been using the 18mm version, and am absolutely enchanted. I also have had some issues with sag in the train. For me, I it is evident in part of the image plane being off band. You can test it by standing a few meters back and looking at your objective lens. You will see a small red dot that should be centered. I had to measure and make an X with thin masking tape at the center of my lens. I’ve been trying to dream up some kind of adjustable rail support for the whole rig after the focuser.
Are your test images stacks or single frames ? Did you process them in a batch?


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Montana »

Thanks guys :)

Graham, The outside temperature was around 22 degrees on average. I think it started at 19 and maybe got up to 24 degrees (very hot!)

David, If you think of something do let me know :) The test frames are the best 5% of 1000 frames stacked. I then batch processed in the same way. Remember, don't do a flat, you want to see the changes in band.

Alexandra


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by marktownley »

These are absolutely stunning! This sums up so well why the SS is so much better than a Quark! Very impressed indeed!


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by cmas »

Well, I'd be angry if that setup would be on the Quark level :D That is some really serious imaging train, looks like an RPG in a good way :) The images are superb and I am super envious of that setup!

Let's hope clear skies as I bet these images will continue to amaze me :)


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by MapleRidge »

Hi Alexandra...

Congrats on the new Ha filter and it is producing very sharp images for you :bow

I know you have been waiting a long time to get the resolution and band-pass to this level on the TEC, and I'm sure the C11 will work well too. I agree the long assembly of filters/tubes/camera off the rear of the scope makes for some sag..hope you can engineer a way to minimize it.

Brian


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by cmas »

Montana wrote: Sun Jul 18, 2021 6:41 pm Yes, the tubes are very long and even though they are all screwed together or click locked there is still some sag. This is evident in that my centre-line is at 23.5 degrees and not 27 degrees as it should be.
Just a thought: Are those extensions all T2? Swapping those to larger ones like m68 (and adapt the SS and telecentric/barlow to that) should increase rigidity. And if T2 is needed, I'd ask someone to make custom T2-extensions which have the required length (and maybe made with a slightly thicker Al tube and/or with higher quality aluminium or weld additional Al support structures to the tubes making the extensions more rigid) as when you have so many separate threaded connections, slight errors multiply over such a long distance and you have unwanted sag.


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by eroel »

Alexandra:
Superb instrument and superb images.
I dream with a 0.3Aº Ha filter, my old ATM is just an 0.45Aº.
Best wishes.
Eric.


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by RodAstro »

Hi Alexandra
The Great Fraunhofer refractor used two adjustable brass weights at one end of long bars with the bars centre on a gimbal mount to stop the wooden tube sagging under the weight of the objective, something similar in reverse would work.
I'm afraid you do need two of them to work properly on a EQ mount over a large area of movement.
The only other way is brute force like Stu has done on his RC.

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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Rusted »

The difficulty with improving the stiffness of such a long assembly is the need for access to the vital bits in between the focuser and the camera.
A large disk [or a square plate] at the focuser end could support CF tubes.
Parallel tubes and baffles would be easier to use.

This would certainly support the load but who wants to volunteer to drill fixing holes in the TEC 140? :o
A thin, support plate could be sandwiched between the focuser and main tube?

I really wouldn't start from here. I'd start from scratch and build a new, full length, but much wider skeleton tube OTA.
With baffles at useful intervals to match the threaded adapter needs of the vital components.
Then bung the TEC objective cell on the front and you're golden. :D


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Lagonda »

Nice setup. I have a few questions. Did you have any reason to put TZ lens without M68 compendium to connect SS and TEC? When you look at the proms visually, how do you see it? Are they visible enough (maybe some comparison to 0.5A filter?) and is the image overall dim or bright? I am interested in buying 0.3A filter but it is very difficult to look through it because it is not a thing that everybody have.
What was the problem with focus? I think TEC has enough focus to reach for TZ and SS setup directly to its focuser.
I wish you many many sunny days and excellent seeing conditions. :)
Alan


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Montana »

Hi Alan,

Did you have any reason to put TZ lens without M68 compendium to connect SS and TEC?
Absolutely no idea, I had to look up what this was :)

When you look at the proms visually, how do you see it?
I've not looked visually yet so I have no idea :)

Are they visible enough (maybe some comparison to 0.5A filter?) and is the image overall dim or bright?
I've never used a 0.5A one, but this 0.3A is amazing, the image is very bright, I needed 51ms exposure for this prominence shown here but it was a very faint prom. I could see brighter proms on the edge without even taking the camera off the settings needed for the surface (less than 10ms). I would probably say it was brighter than my Solarscope.

What was the problem with focus? I think TEC has enough focus to reach for TZ and SS setup directly to its focuser.
I couldn't achieve focus as I ran out of extension with the focuser, so I added a 50mm extension tube and then I was able to focus fine :)

I hope these answer your questions, apart from the ones I'm afraid I don't know ;)

Kind regards
Alexandra


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Bob Yoesle »

Wonderful images Alexandria!

Just some caveats after long conversations with Mark at Solar Spectrum. A smaller diameter filter is better for achieving good contrast uniformity - keep it real for the image scale and EFL you're going to use.
I dream with a 0.3Aº Ha filter, my old ATM is just an 0.45Aº.
The old 0.45 ATM is likely very good. I regret that I ever sold my 1976 Del Woods 0.7 ATM. The quality of the mica back then was generally better as well.

Per Mark, and as well described in Christian's posts, you won't realistically reach a FWHM for a so-specified filter unless you're at a really long focal ratio, and at f25 there's little difference 0.5 and 0.3 A FWHM. This is especially true with single stacked filters where FWHM is less important than the transmission tails - and this is better with higher finesse (first caveat above - aka filter uniformity). And as discussed, it also takes near absolute perfect alignment of the optical axis. For these systems and long EFR's you'd have to use a sturdy optical rail type system as rusted describes to achieve the needed accuracy.


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by VasilevIvan »

Congratulations, Alexandra with a perfect device! :hamster:
Very interesting report and absolutely stunning images! :bow
Have you tried to capture full disk with SS filter?

BR, Ivan.


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Lagonda »

Montana wrote: Thu Jul 22, 2021 5:02 pm Hi Alan,

Did you have any reason to put TZ lens without M68 compendium to connect SS and TEC?
Absolutely no idea, I had to look up what this was :)

M68 is a thread like M42, M48, T2 etc. Baader has combination for TZ systems if you want to put on your scope (with M68 on the rear side)-M68 compendium (inside you screw TZ lens in) and you put the rest as you wish. That M68 Compendium is some sort of tube where you screw TZ lens in and it looks more sturdy than just fitting TZ lens alone. But it doesn't have to be the case. Look at Baader website for that.

When you look at the proms visually, how do you see it?
I've not looked visually yet so I have no idea :)

Ok. You will. You have time. :) I know that capturing Sun is very tempting. :)

Are they visible enough (maybe some comparison to 0.5A filter?) and is the image overall dim or bright?
I've never used a 0.5A one, but this 0.3A is amazing, the image is very bright, I needed 51ms exposure for this prominence shown here but it was a very faint prom. I could see brighter proms on the edge without even taking the camera off the settings needed for the surface (less than 10ms). I would probably say it was brighter than my Solarscope.

I found out that on 0.5A I can see proms better and some surface details than with a camera. Although I can record some frames with only one exposure and I can get surface and proms in post processing. That is why I asked about visual observing. Because I saw some impressive images with 0.3A.

I hope these answer your questions, apart from the ones I'm afraid I don't know ;)
Yes you did. Thank you.

Clear skies
Alan


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Jordan Konisky »

Alexandra,

Took my breadth away. Congratulations.

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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by MapleRidge »

Alan...

Regarding the visual brightness, I find my 0.45A Quantum is a difficult view unless you can keep your head covered and all the stray light out. I did view through a 0.3A filter at NEAF many years ago and found it equally challenging, but not bad if you can keep your head covered. It will vary on your eyes and eyepiece quality too.

A friend has a 0.5A Quantum and it has to be one of the brightest views I've seem, but it was newly returned from Daystar for having its blockers/trimmers serviced.

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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by MAURITS »

Alexander, I see that the Tec 140 APO has an f/7 , so with the TZ4 telecentric you have than f/28.
I tought you need absolutely f/30 for Ha imaging with the Solar Spectrum 0.3Å to have the better results.
Do I have it wrong?


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Valery »

eroel wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 4:16 pm Alexandra:
Superb instrument and superb images.
I dream with a 0.3Aº Ha filter, my old ATM is just an 0.45Aº.
Best wishes.
Eric.

Eric,

PM sent.


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by Montana »

Maurits,
The TEC140 maybe 140mm but the ERF I have is Baader D-ERF 135mm which only has effectively 125mm being in the filter cell. So (980/125)*4 = f31.36

:)
Alexandra


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Re: First Light - Solar Spectrum 0.3A

Post by MAURITS »

Montana wrote: Thu Aug 05, 2021 8:52 am Maurits,
The TEC140 maybe 140mm but the ERF I have is Baader D-ERF 135mm which only has effectively 125mm being in the filter cell. So (980/125)*4 = f31.36

:)
Alexandra
Ah I didn't seen that, indeed f/31.36
Thanks for the clarification 😊


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