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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2014 20:15:47 GMT
Hey all,
This may not be the place, but if this isn't please tell me where to go (within limits )...
I have a MC Hyper Color which is new to me and an Orion ST80 f/5 achro with a solar filter. I want to get these going as a solar rig. I have an EQ3 motorized mount. So, coupling these together should get me going, right? But, now what?
Is the stock solar filter adequate to protect this camera? Any precautions I need to be aware of?
H-alpha filters seem to be used a lot in solar. But, can I use an Ha at the camera and the regular solar filter?
I guess I'm looking for a tutorial or something like that. Can any of you suggest where you'd go looking if you were a brand new newb trying to stay out of trouble but learn the ropes of Solar AV?
Thanks, and clear skies!
Bob
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2014 21:36:46 GMT
Hi Bob, You don't say what type or brand of solar filter you have, but whether it is a Thousand Oaks glass filter or Baader solar film you will be safe to image the sun. You will only be able to image the sun in white light only, and will see sunspots and possibly surface granulation. To view the sun in Hydrogen Alpha you will need a dedicated Ha solar scope. It cannot be done with an Ha astronomy filter as they are very different and cannot be mixed.
A normal telescope and an HA solar scope are very different animals and are built differently.
Solar viewing and imaging can be very dangerous and costly if safety precautions are not taken. The basic rules are: never look at the sun through a telescope without the filter in place.............instant blindness. never point a scope at the sun without the filter in place............................melted eyepeice or camera chip. remove the finderscope or cover its lens.................................................melted finderscope When your session is finished or at any other time, Allways point the scope away from the sun before removing the filter.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2014 22:07:14 GMT
Thank you, that is helpful information. I gather the DMK cams have the same limitation, then?
I want to use this rig for daylight outreach, as an entre to night outreach. Shall I just go fot it with what I have?
bob
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Post by johnno on Feb 11, 2014 23:50:55 GMT
Hi Bob, I use a white solar filter with my setup and if you take note of the safety rules what Allan as posted when viewing solar you will be ok.
Camera should be ok to use, I use a Samsung 2000p and if you look at the monitor in the photo you will see how it looks .
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 0:14:31 GMT
Thank you John! OK, I'm going for it based on your and Allanuk's advice. Thanks for the safety precautions, I'll watch it.
Bob
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Post by Dragon Man on Feb 12, 2014 4:23:20 GMT
How did you go Bob? I was about to type that you are safe and fine with what you have but then noticed that you posted your question 8 hours ago
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 5:48:00 GMT
Thank you, that is helpful information. I gather the DMK cams have the same limitation, then? I want to use this rig for daylight outreach, as an entre to night outreach. Shall I just go fot it with what I have? bob Hi Bob, I'm not sure what you mean by DMK's having the same limitation, but with regards to camera brand, they all operate the same. The only difference is colour or mono, but mono cams are generally better for solar imaging. The pretty colours you see in images are added in photoshop or other software. The absolute best place on the planet for information about everything Solar is solarchat.solarastronomy.org/index.php/en/this-is-solar-chat/6-this-is-solarchat-The forums are a wealth of information. The website is being upgraded so new posts on there will be lost, but all the information is still there.
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Post by davy on Feb 12, 2014 7:39:07 GMT
Going to give solar av a go this summer. ..may as well get some use out of scope..
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Post by Dragon Man on Feb 12, 2014 8:55:28 GMT
Solar is quite rewarding. And it gives us something to do in daytime while we wait for dark
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 12:53:29 GMT
How did you go Bob? I was about to type that you are safe and fine with what you have but then noticed that you posted your question 8 hours ago Thanks, Ken. So typical of this Country these days, there was no Sun to be seen yesterday. I have my hopes up for today.
Heck, I may have to emigrate to Snake Valley to get any satisfaction...
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Post by Dragon Man on Feb 12, 2014 13:32:59 GMT
That won't help much at the moment Bob. Our sky is blotted out by bushfire smoke. Much of our state is on fire. At the moment I can just make out the moon as a faint glow, like looking through thick fog, except it stinks and it is hard to breathe outside. But any other time you are welcome
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 13:55:47 GMT
Allan, more good information about the scopes. Thanks for that and for that link. Just went over there and it's a treasure trove of good information. Lots to read while waiting for the snow to melt off. Right now, there seems to be a big assumption with that! And, to get the great detail I see in some solar images, I'm going to have to go with an Ha scope, right? I appreciate the encouragement and information, guys. Bob
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 14:03:43 GMT
That won't help much at the moment Bob. Our sky is blotted out by bushfire smoke. Much of our state is on fire. At the moment I can just make out the moon as a faint glow, like looking through thick fog, except it stinks and it is hard to breathe outside. But any other time you are welcome Thanks for that, Ken. Our summers usually have the same grief. California to Colorado and everywhere in between and north and south of the lot starts burning up. And, we're downwind from whole smoking mess. My hopes for the MallinCam as a "smoke-cutter" are high. What's your experience with this? Cheers...Bob
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 15:40:05 GMT
Thats ok bob, always pleased to share solar information as that is my big summer addiction. Have a read on the Solarchat forums and you will soon understand the difference between white light and Hydrogen alpha observing. You can get great detail of the sunspots in white light using solar film and bigger scopes, but for Ha you do need the Ha solar scope. They can be found second hand, but be prepared to empty your wallet. Like anything astro related, it can be costly and very addictive.
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Post by Dragon Man on Feb 12, 2014 15:42:25 GMT
Bob, my experience is that the Mallincam sees through thin cloud really well. I have even picked up fine detail in the arms of spiral galaxies only to walk outside and see the whole sky is clouded in!!!!
But I have noticed that smoke destroys the ability for the camera to cut through. It must have something to do with the particles. Smoke has a lot of other debris floating around in it, like dust, ash, parts of leaves etc.
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