Jeff Young
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/04/05
Posts: 4112
Loc: Ireland
|
|
I notice that a lot of folks seem to be using zoom eyepieces with their Halpha rigs, something you don't see as often for planetary or deepsky observing. Do the zooms work better during the day, or is it just that solar observing requires more fine-tuning of magnification?
Thanks,
-- Jeff.
--------------------
Nikon 18x70s / UA Millennium Colorado:
Solarscope SF70 / TV Pronto / AP400QMD Coronado SolarMax40 DS / Bogen 055+3130
APM MC1610 / Tak FC-100 / AP1200GTO Tak Mewlon 250 / AP600EGTO
|
Ralph Marantino
Postmaster
Reged: 05/01/05
Posts: 6330
Loc: Old Bridge, New Jersey
|
|
More fine tuning.
--------------------
Lunt H-alpha LS100THa/B3400
Rockland Astronomy Club
Member BAA Solar Section
Central Appalachian Astronomy Club
Astronomical League
DSPST,PST & 70mm Coronado Cal K telescope.2.2A
Zeiss 2 inch prism diagonal&Zeiss Zoom EP
2inch APM Herschel Wedge in a 94mm F7 Brandon
14.5 inch f4.2 Starmaster Dob(Zambuto mirror)
TeleView Genisis SDF with 1000 Oaks Glass filter
Zeiss 63mm f13.5 refractor 1000 Oaks Glass filter
Itty Bitty Solar Radio Telescope.
LHRIES Lite Solar Spectrometer
|
darkstar528
Postmaster
Reged: 03/06/07
Posts: 6780
Loc: Hodgenville, Kentucky, USA
|
|
I like mine as I can go from viewing the entire disk, with plenty of room to spare, down to a specific active region for the details!...I use a VIXEN 8-24mm...
--------------------
Blue skies,
Stephen "Darkstar" Ames
PST(#96038), VIXEN 8-24mm,CEMAX 2x Barlow, Thousand Oaks White Light Filter and a Meade Elec EP
CFI, CFII, MEI, working on EIEIO!
BAA Member
My solar site:
http://seemysunspot.com
|
Doug D.
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/23/05
Posts: 1855
Loc: Virginia
|
|
I actually don't prefer it but I understand the attraction. I have a Baader 8-24 in the case with my most portable H-alpha scope. But, I most prefer Tak 12 and 18 LE's or Pan 24s in binoviewer (with OCS that brings me to the ~12mm range). The Baader is fine but I feel it is worth suffering a tiny bit more inconvenience to get the best performance out of my EP collection.
--------------------
Hooville
AP 105EDF f/6 Traveler; AP 140 EDF StarFire f/7.5; TV 76 f/6.3 with Solarscope SF70 filter; Solarscope Solarview 50; Coronado CaK 70; Orion XT-10; Baader Mk V & ZAO II's; Half-Hitch Mk II; Astrotrac TT320X, pier & wedge; AP Mach1GTO; PGR Flea 2
|
colinsk
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/08
Posts: 2150
Loc: CA
|
|
I find I get my bearings with the zoom. I spend about 1/2 an hour with it. Then when I have a good of what there is to look at switch to my fixed fl lenses to see better detail.
--------------------
Mahalo,
Colin Kaminski
Coulter 10.1" Dobsonian
TV-76/Baader Film White Light
LS60T/DS50/FT/BF1200
LDX-75
AT Voyager
|
Jeff Young
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/04/05
Posts: 4112
Loc: Ireland
|
|
Thanks, guys.
I have an old Denkmeier bino (with the cool "deep sky" logo) that I can no longer use with my main instruments (too long a light path) but I can't bring myself to part with. So I was thinking of dedicating it to solar use. Of course having to set two zooms is starting to erode the benefit of a zoom....
I should probably try Halpha first with and without a bino to see which I prefer -- I'm a split personality at night preferring the bino for planetary but mono for deep-sky. But to do that I'm going to have to buy an OCS for the Denk.
Perhaps I'll start another thread on Halpha bino use.
Thanks again,
-- Jeff.
--------------------
Nikon 18x70s / UA Millennium Colorado:
Solarscope SF70 / TV Pronto / AP400QMD Coronado SolarMax40 DS / Bogen 055+3130
APM MC1610 / Tak FC-100 / AP1200GTO Tak Mewlon 250 / AP600EGTO
|
Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 3709
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
|
|
Quote:
I should probably try Halpha first with and without a bino to see which I prefer -- I'm a split personality at night preferring the bino for planetary but mono for deep-sky. But to do that I'm going to have to buy an OCS for the Denk.
Well then, go buy an OCS for your Denk! It's a shame to see a fine instrument like that going unused for lack of an adapter!
FWIW Jeff, I use a Televue 3-6mm zoom all the time for planetary viewing, but stick with fixed-focus EPs for Solar. And I use binoviewers all the time for Lunar and medium-power planetary viewing, but stick with monovision for Solar.
Go figure...
Cheers,
Jim
--------------------
QUESTION AUTHORITY!
"errr....sez who??"
|
Ralph Marantino
Postmaster
Reged: 05/01/05
Posts: 6330
Loc: Old Bridge, New Jersey
|
|
Barlow Bob uses his Denkmiers every time he observes the Sun,but I am a mono-man even though I have a bino viewer.I will have to try it out on my forthcoming 200mm Lunt to see if I change my mind. 
--------------------
Lunt H-alpha LS100THa/B3400
Rockland Astronomy Club
Member BAA Solar Section
Central Appalachian Astronomy Club
Astronomical League
DSPST,PST & 70mm Coronado Cal K telescope.2.2A
Zeiss 2 inch prism diagonal&Zeiss Zoom EP
2inch APM Herschel Wedge in a 94mm F7 Brandon
14.5 inch f4.2 Starmaster Dob(Zambuto mirror)
TeleView Genisis SDF with 1000 Oaks Glass filter
Zeiss 63mm f13.5 refractor 1000 Oaks Glass filter
Itty Bitty Solar Radio Telescope.
LHRIES Lite Solar Spectrometer
|
Keith Howlett
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/06/07
Posts: 977
Loc: Northumberland, UK
|
|
Hi Jeff,
It's good to see you over on this forum. I've found the H-alpha tremendous daytime fun and I'm sure you will too.
If you're changing from the Denks at night anyway you will find that the Baader Mk V's also work very well for H-Alpha. I just use them with my night-time Televue Plossls and they are fine. The Baader OCA lenses can take care of most back-focus issues.
Cheers,
Keith
|
smc89
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/27/05
Posts: 4539
Loc: Northern Berks Co. PA
|
|
I find my vixen 8-24 zoom is pretty sharp in my PST and use it regularly. Sometimes combined with my 2.5 powermate, it puts on a great show. I also like the 10 & 12mm X-cell EPs for my afocal images.
--------------------
Scott M.
Canon 40D, 50D & G9
Coronado PST
Stellarvue 80ED
Orion XT8I Dob.
Orion XT12I Dob.
Celestron 15x70
|
Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22340
Loc: Ohio, USA
|
|
Hi Jeff, it's good to see you in the solar forum!
I like using my zoom for h-alpha because of the variances in seeing conditions during an observing session. I can zoom in and out on features to squeeze out the most details when there's moments of steady skies. It can really make a difference for some of my prominence observations, especially. If I were to take the time to switch eyepieces in the middle of a prominence sketch, the prom will have changed too much for me to finish that sketch. My prom sketches are done in a matter of just 2-3 minutes tops for this reason.
As for binoviewing, if you've got a barlow where the lens screws out, you can take the lens out and screw it into the nosepiece of the BVers to reach focus. Or at least, this worked for me with my WO binoviewers and my 60mm Maxscope.
--------------------
Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi. 
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
|
Jeff Young
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/04/05
Posts: 4112
Loc: Ireland
|
|
Great info, folks! Erika's input was particularly useful as I do indeed intend to sketch once I get the hang of this new viewing paradigm.
I took a double-stacked SM40 today in part-trade for my old SCT, so I've got a few more questions:
1) Pointing. At the seller's home I used the "minimize the telescope's shadow" trick to find the sun. This worked great when the sun was fairly high up and the shadow was being cast on his patio. When I got it home and the sun was lower and the shadown was being cast on my grass, it worked much less well. What's the recommendation here? Something like a Sol Ranger, or is there a simpler solution?
2) More on eyepieces. I didn't much like the Cemax 12 -- not enough eye relief. I tried a series 4000 Meade 8.8UWA when I got home, with mixed results. I loved the image scale, but the eye-relief was still bothersome (something I've never noticed at night), and the exit pupil was somewhat hard to find. It also had a habit of catching a blue reflection off my face if I didn't put my hands around it.
I also tried a 12mm AP SPL which threw up a beautiful image, but without an eyeguard the exit pupil was also a bit hard to find and I again had to use my hands for shielding.
A 12mmT4 with a Barlow might work well, but that's going to be a bit cumbersome hanging off the back of a 40mm scope. What about the BO/TMB Planetaries -- do they work well for solar? Based on the 8.8UWA, I think I want something around the 7 - 8mm range.
3) Rust. My BF5 appears to have splotchiness in the center 40% of the telescope side. It doesn't look like the rust pictures of PSTs I've seen -- it's in the center rather than creeping in from the edges, and it doesn't have a rust (or green) color. Do the BF5s de-laminate in a different fashion?
If I replace it is there any justification in going with a BF10 instead of a BF5?
Thanks everyone,
-- Jeff.
--------------------
Nikon 18x70s / UA Millennium Colorado:
Solarscope SF70 / TV Pronto / AP400QMD Coronado SolarMax40 DS / Bogen 055+3130
APM MC1610 / Tak FC-100 / AP1200GTO Tak Mewlon 250 / AP600EGTO
|
Keith Howlett
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/06/07
Posts: 977
Loc: Northumberland, UK
|
|
Hi Jeff,
The Coronado Sol Ranger works very well and looks good on the Coronado solar telescopes. I currently use a Televue Sol Searcher which works just as well and is one of the least expensive things you can buy from Televue.
I can't really help with 2) or 3) other than to say that I sometimes put a cloth over my head to keep unwanted sunlight away from the eyepieces when I'm viewing.
Cheers,
Keith
|
Jeff Young
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/04/05
Posts: 4112
Loc: Ireland
|
|
Thanks Keith.
I took a picture of my BF5, and the colors in the picture do look a bit more like rust reports I've seen elsewhere. Can anyone confirm?
Thanks,
-- Jeff.
--------------------
Nikon 18x70s / UA Millennium Colorado:
Solarscope SF70 / TV Pronto / AP400QMD Coronado SolarMax40 DS / Bogen 055+3130
APM MC1610 / Tak FC-100 / AP1200GTO Tak Mewlon 250 / AP600EGTO
|
Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22340
Loc: Ohio, USA
|
|
Jeff, I think it is. The blocking filters, from what I understand might need to be replaced about 5 years or so. I think Bob is up on that sort of thing, so maybe he can chime in. Here's a photo of mine for comparison that I took last month.
--------------------
Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
|
Keith Howlett
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/06/07
Posts: 977
Loc: Northumberland, UK
|
|
John Crilly also has some first hand experience with a rusty BF5, you may want to PM him.
Keith
|
Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 22340
Loc: Ohio, USA
|
|
As for finding the sun, I used to put my sketch pad perpendicular to back end of the scope instead of using the ground or a wall. Then I'd minimize the shadow, and using lower magnification, the Sun would be right there. You get pretty quick with it with practice and now with my ETX70 for white light, I don't even bother with a lower mag EP and use an 8mm Plossl to find the Sun. I do the shadow trick and bang, there it is.
But, if you'd like to go with something less expensive than a Sol finder, I have a Helio Pod from FAR Laboratories that I use with my Maxscope now, http://www.dynapod.com/dyna-hp1.html and it works great. I put in my 40mm plossl first, unlock the clutches from my mount, find the Sun within a few seconds, lock the clutches and then let my mount track for me.
On to question 2, I like less glass so rarely use barlows. For your 40mm scope, 8mm-12mm would be a great choice. And plossls are nice for these scopes. You'll get a lot of glare unless you can block out the excess sunlight around the eyepieces. You can use the rubber eyepiece cups, a black cloth over your head, or make a cardboard sunshield. I use a homemade sunshield that a friend made for me as well as a black cloth. I also sketch on black paper for h-alpha work because I find that if I use white paper, there's such a glare on it from the sunlight that it take several minutes for my eyes to adjust to the dark view through the eyepiece. The moment is lost by the time I get my vision back for the faint details. Black paper allows my eyes to adjust back to the view much quicker.
In this photo, I had already found the Sun at the beginning of the session using the helio finder with my 40mm. Then I put my sunshield on and will have changed out that 40 for my zoom eyepiece.
--------------------
Erika
Automatic doors make me feel like a Jedi.
Zhumell 16", 10" LX200 Classic,Orion ED80, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm
My CN Gallery * 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 25183
Loc: NE Ohio
|
|
Quote:
John Crilly also has some first hand experience with a rusty BF5, you may want to PM him.
Keith
Yup. Better not hijack this thread - but that photo shows the problem precisely. He has it.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 178ED F/9 "APO"
Meade ETX-125AT
C14
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
CI-700, NJP, GPDX/SS2KPC, CG5-GT
ST-10XME, DSI Pro
|
Jeff Young
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/04/05
Posts: 4112
Loc: Ireland
|
|
Quote:
As for finding the sun, I used to put my sketch pad perpendicular to back end of the scope instead of using the ground or a wall. Then I'd minimize the shadow, and using lower magnification, the Sun would be right there. You get pretty quick with it with practice and now with my ETX70 for white light, I don't even bother with a lower mag EP and use an 8mm Plossl to find the Sun. I do the shadow trick and bang, there it is.
D'oh! That's so obvious in hindsight. I don't have a solar sketchpad yet, but I just sat behind my rig and used the shadow cast on my shirt, which worked well enough.
I think I still might get a finder of some sort, but at least I don't feel in a hurry about it anymore. Thanks! 
-- Jeff.
--------------------
Nikon 18x70s / UA Millennium Colorado:
Solarscope SF70 / TV Pronto / AP400QMD Coronado SolarMax40 DS / Bogen 055+3130
APM MC1610 / Tak FC-100 / AP1200GTO Tak Mewlon 250 / AP600EGTO
|
Jeff Young
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/04/05
Posts: 4112
Loc: Ireland
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
John Crilly also has some first hand experience with a rusty BF5, you may want to PM him.
Keith
Yup. Better not hijack this thread - but that photo shows the problem precisely. He has it.
Thanks, John. I'll get a replacement on order.
BTW: is it acceptable to hijack one's own thread or is it still considered better etiquette to start a new one?
Thanks,
-- Jeff.
--------------------
Nikon 18x70s / UA Millennium Colorado:
Solarscope SF70 / TV Pronto / AP400QMD Coronado SolarMax40 DS / Bogen 055+3130
APM MC1610 / Tak FC-100 / AP1200GTO Tak Mewlon 250 / AP600EGTO
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: 