CharlesS

On 17/04/2023 at 21:42, Zakalwe said:

Have at it then. Though, once you take the central obstruction into place, a 6" SCT probably wont get that much more resolution than say a 5" 'frac. 

I would settle for that. My previous 5-inch refactor performed very satisfactorily in that respect!

On 13/04/2023 at 12:26, Cosmic Geoff said:

What scope are you using for solar imaging? What technique are you using?  Unless you are also intending to use the same mount for deep-sky imaging, I can't see why you would want such a heavy and expensive mount as those cited.  Wouldn't you be using a small scope and a 'lucky imaging' video, with very short exposures, which would make wobble and tracking error in the mount unimportant?

Actually you need to ask solar imagers what they use.

Thanks for the reply. Because the videos I intend to render are 1-2 hour long an azimuth mount that comes with the 6-inch SCT I intend to use, is not appropriate. My experience has been that a solid GE mount with good tracking is best.

-Charles

On 14/04/2023 at 21:25, Rusted said:

Charles

The solar imaging section on a general astronomy forum may not have members with the necessary expertise.
So you may have better luck with such technical questions on a dedicated solar forum.

Search for Solarchat! The world's largest, solar specific forum with 3400 members. Many of whom are solar specialists.
It is free to join and there are experts in all subjects within the solar study discipline.
The very nature of your questions suggests you may well bring further expertise to SolarChat!

Thank you. I appreciate it. I am already a member of Solarchat. I shall try there.

-Charles

On 14/04/2023 at 14:37, Zakalwe said:

For H-A, a  6" ERF (essential component) costs approx £1K. More for one with a mounting bracket. Then you will need an etalon and various blocking filters. You will end up with a highly specialised system that will need a lot of knowledge to use and will require superb seeing conditions. I'd recommend starting off with a dedicated H-A scope first.
https://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/baader-d-erf-energy-rejection-filters.html
https://www.altairastro.com/altair-152mm-aperture-triband-d-erf-solar-energy-rejection-filter---h-alpha-plus-cak-cah-160mm-erf-11920-p.asp

With H-A viewing (or imaging) the actual scope is probably the cheapest component of the whole system. I suspect that you may be putting the cart before the horse.

For WL viewing, then a sheet of Baader Astro Film and a continuum filter is what you need.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/baader-astrosolar-safety-film-nd-50.html

Hi. Thanks for the great information. I actually had a Daystar Quantum .4A Ha filter and created some interesting solar videos using a 5-inch refractor a few years ago. So the experience is there. I moved to India 3 years ago, and trying to rekindle my hobby. I am just not sure about the instrument.

-Charles

I am not clear on this point. Please let me know.

Thanks,

-Charles

12 hours ago, Louis D said:

Is there a particular circumstance forcing you to use a diagonal in your imaging train?

That's a good question, Louis. I shall inquire at the solar imaging forum.

-Charles

16 hours ago, bosun21 said:

For imaging you are better off without a diagonal in the light train. If you must then you should go for a screw on diagonal for rigidity.

I don't think there are 1.25 diagonals available commercially.

15 hours ago, Peter Drew said:

A C6 isn't the ideal telescope for solar imaging but if you already have one then it is capable of good WL results.  6" of aperture will be a test for your seeing conditions which are less stable during the day than night time use.  Ha imaging will be an added complexity, as well as requiring a Ha etalon and blocking filter, you will need a full aperture energy rejection filter (ERF) which will cost as much as the C6.  You could use a Quark as the Ha component but you would still need the ERF.

I have tried WL and Ha with a C5, the WL was ok but the Ha was disappointing.      🙂 

Thanks, Peter. I have seen some great results with both 9.25 and 11-inch SCTs, in both WL and Ha. So I am going to take a chance on the 6-inch. It is a little more complicated for Ha, but still doable.

Hi Everyone:

Has anyone used a C6 for solar imaging in WL or HA? In terms of potability, which is important to me, this scope seems to be ideal, as its focal length is sufficient for my purposes. Can you share any experiences related to this scope?

Thanks,

-Charles

Does any company make a click-on or screw-on diagonal for a 1.25" back? I know such a diagonal is available for a 2" back. From what I understand such a diagonal gives more rigidity to the optical train.

Thanks,

-Charles

I am just wondering at what altitude does the jet stream interfere most with seeing? For instance, on Meteoblue and Ventusky my location in Northern India generally has superb seeing in lower altitudes. But on the level of the jet stream it is usually fair to good at 9000M but really poor at 12,000M. I am not sure how to interpret these findings? Is this the forum to be asking such a question?

Thank you,

-Charles

I am wondering about the portability of this mount, relative to the EQ5 and the HEQ5 and the EQ6? Is it the best compromise between tracking accuracy and portability? I will be doing solar imaging.

Thanks,

-Charles