SOLARHEADS - OCTOBER Chat Group

[FRAZ]

Please feel free to discuss beyond our solar boundaries. Welcome to new faces who have joined us too.

I

Click me to go to the Images Forum

[FRAZ]

Doublestacking a CAK takes a knowledge of double stacking standard setups accompanied with some spacing and equipment knowledge.

If you can't buy it off shelf then it is probably beyond our capabilities, a single stack mod is really difficult. If you have a single stack system that can take a double stack cak then go for it.

Personally I think you are peeing in the wind if you are looking for any value on return.

[Cliff]

With limited imaging due clouds and wind here is a compilation from the 5th using my Tak 76 ,174MM, Combo Quark and either 2X or 4X Telecentrics.

Used my 'new' Photoshop Skills to black out the Suns surface showing off the Proms.

Didn't colourise the Sunspots as thought it looked better as a group.

[FRAZ]

Very nice presentation Cliff.

We find that activity goes right down over the next 3 or 4 months and many of our favourites and retries come out.

[Lowjiber]

With limited imaging due clouds and wind here is a compilation from the 5th using my Tak 76 ,174MM, Combo Quark and either 2X or 4X Telecentrics.

Used my 'new' Photoshop Skills to black out the Suns surface showing off the Proms.

Didn't colourise the Sunspots as thought it looked better as a group.

Very nicely done, Cliff. I agree, many (most?) times small details are lost when colorizing sunspots.

Good job and nice presentation.

Clear Skies

[Lowjiber]

Hey guys! I'm still recovering from the bout with pneumonia. I got out of the hospital a week ago and have been on a very high dose of oral anti-bionics since. I'll be back in action soon... Can't wait.

[Cliff]

Thanks for the positive comments and great to see John is bouncing back .
I just got a used 5x power mate to see if it’s better with the Combo quark than a 4x depends on seeing I guess.
Thinking of getting a 80mm DS Lunt but way expensive ?
Would I be better off with say a 100 or 120mm acromat with the quark?

[Lowjiber]

Cliff, let me ramble a bit...

I always think in terms of focal ratio when shooting. I have pretty good seeing much of the time here in the desert... Low humidity (single digits) most of the time and a jet stream that is usually north of my location. On a decent seeing day, a focal ratio in the low 30's works well... 80% of my shots are with an f/32 combination. On great seeing days, I'll jump it up to f/39.

I'm pretty sure Jeff has a Lunt 80 DS. He's the guy to ask if the bang-for-the-buck is worth it in the long run. From my perspective, ~$4500 (with the largest BF) is not worth it.

I'm a "frac-head" with about ten refractors. I've found that ED glass is all one needs to make decent solar images. Williams Optics and Skywatcher are two of my favorite ED glass brands. (Note: The SW's have horrible focusers, and I'll usually have the Moonlite guy build me a custom 2.5" crayford for 'em... ~$500.)

OBW: If you ever want to have a Moonlite built, don't waste time trying to figure it out on their website. Just send the owner, Ron Newman, and email at: Moonlite7@live.com. He is a great guy to work with and will cut thru the options and take care of you. I even once had him build a custom adapter for a scope that everyone told me was impossible.

Clear Skies

[messier 111]

Hey guys! I'm still recovering from the bout with pneumonia. I got out of the hospital a week ago and have been on a very high dose of oral anti-bionics since. I'll be back in action soon... Can't wait.

good to hear , take care .

[FRAZ]

Tak glass is plenty good enough for solar work. From that you are chasing small margins.

The biggest bang for buck in my experience is in processing. The best way to challenge that theory and decide whether you should spend thousands of pounds is to share data and see what the Pixelheads can provide.

[Lowjiber]

Tak glass is plenty good enough for solar work. From that you are chasing small margins.

The biggest bang for buck in my experience is in processing. The best way to challenge that theory and decide whether you should spend thousands of pounds is to share data and see what the Pixelheads can provide.

FRAZ, I totally agree that chasing small margins is a long way from cost-effective.

If anyone wants some help with a file, I suggest posting your stacked TIFF file (or your unstacked AVI) to FRAZ's open DropBox for some help. I have a DropBox that I'll gladly grant access to as well... Just send me your email address in a PM and I'll open it for you.

Clear Skies

[Cliff]

Cliff, let me ramble a bit...

I always think in terms of focal ratio when shooting. I have pretty good seeing much of the time here in the desert... Low humidity (single digits) most of the time and a jet stream that is usually north of my location. On a decent seeing day, a focal ratio in the low 30's works well... 80% of my shots are with an f/32 combination. On great seeing days, I'll jump it up to f/39.

Well John I think i have the opposite , can get high humidity and that Jetstream which I am much more aware of now is often overhead as well.
My other refractor is only F5 the 106ED so even a 5X power-mate only makes it F20. Not tried yet.

I'm pretty sure Jeff has a Lunt 80 DS. He's the guy to ask if the bang-for-the-buck is worth it in the long run. From my perspective, ~$4500 (with the largest BF) is not worth it.

They are even more expensive in Aus this one I am looking at used is more than double that in $A

I'm a "frac-head" with about ten refractors. I've found that ED glass is all one needs to make decent solar images. Williams Optics and Skywatcher are two of my favorite ED glass brands. (Note: The SW's have horrible focusers, and I'll usually have the Moonlite guy build me a custom 2.5" crayford for 'em... ~$500.)

I was thinking of may be a 120 , Skywatcher seem to cheap out in some areas , I had a Explore Scientific 80ED and it too had a so-so focuser. I have a moonlight on my little Meade 6"SCT works well.

OBW: If you ever want to have a Moonlite built, don't waste time trying to figure it out on their website. Just send the owner, Ron Newman, and email at: Moonlite7@live.com. He is a great guy to work with and will cut thru the options and take care of you. I even once had him build a custom adapter for a scope that everyone told me was impossible.

Never actually ordered direct from Moonlight as i tend to buy used. I have sent Ron a few questions and he's really quick with a response.

Clear Skies

Clear Skies (though they aren't here that 5X Powermate I got )

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

Went out to image the hedgerow prom again today. BOY is the air turbulent! I did the surface 6 times mostly 2,000 frames =and the last two at 5,000 frames, only got ONE that was acceptable, and sharp. Working on the prom now, I did 1,000 frames on it and so far only so so

[Cliff]

Seems old Sol is very active today , unable to image clouds and heavy wind ,34C here also . :sigh:

Was watching Tamitha Skov explaining the X1 class Flare event and G3 Magnetic Storm .

Has anyone captured anything today ? Lots of Sunspots as well

Cliff

[Tillibobs]

Heavy rain and clouds forecast here too.
Keith.

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

Nor'easter again tomorrow, 2 this week!

[Cliff]

Well cloudy again today but the hf and lower vhf Amateur Radio bands were hopping , I’m also a Ham
So at least I can benefit some from the solar activity even if I can’t see it
Cliff

[Tillibobs]

Are we having a " November Chat Group ?

Keith

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

Where has the year gone?