Talk to me about Solar with my current setup please :)

[Merlin66]

Andy,

You can use the 1.25” nosepiece which came with the camera and just slide it into the focuser.....

keep it simple....

[AndyThilo]

My focuser has a 2” Baader quick lock though. Guess I need a 1.25 to 2” adapter.

[Merlin66]

Yeah, a 1.25” to 2” adaptor.....

[AndyThilo]

Think this should work, the 1.25" filter is SO much cheaper than the 2"

[xtreemchaos]

id say a wedge beats a film filter and its worth the extra cash, id go through loads of film by being clumsey "darn fingers" id have 2 or 3 sheets a year, you only pay once with a wedge. good luck . charl.

[AndyThilo]

Finally ready. Just need some morning sunshine now and a few days off work 😊
 

 

[AndyThilo]

 Hi

Seeing people using Ha filters for solar, would my L-Enhance filter be of any use? It passes Ha, Hb and Oiii.

Cheers

Andy

[Merlin66]

Andy,

CAUTION!

The H alpha filters used in solar observing are a totally different animal to the night time filters.

They are multi element construction, containing an energy reduction filter, etalon and blocking/ sort filters to achieve a bandwidth of <1A. Unfortunately that's why they are very expensive.

The night time filters can be used in conjunction with a safe Baader Solar Film to improve contrast while viewing in white light. An O III filter gives similar results to the recommended Continuum filter.

 

[AndyThilo]

12 hours ago, Merlin66 said:

Andy,

CAUTION!

The H alpha filters used in solar observing are a totally different animal to the night time filters.

They are multi element construction, containing an energy reduction filter, etalon and blocking/ sort filters to achieve a bandwidth of <1A. Unfortunately that's why they are very expensive.

The night time filters can be used in conjunction with a safe Baader Solar Film to improve contrast while viewing in white light. An O III filter gives similar results to the recommended Continuum filter.

 

Yeah I have my Baader film, don't worry. I have a Continuum filter, I was just wondering that's all.

However I now have another issue, couldn't get focus with the 290, had to add in 3 more spacers between the camera and focuser to get focus. And now my EAF focuser seems to have died :(. I'm also very close with my ES102 scope @ 714mm. Arggg

[AndyThilo]

Focuser fixes, getting some images at last

[Merlin66]

Hmm

your gamma and gain look different to what I’d expect.

I don’t know your zero gain but assume around 120 and set gamma to 50.

 

[AndyThilo]

1 minute ago, Merlin66 said:

Hmm

your gamma and gain look different to what I’d expect.

I don’t know your zero gain but assume around 120 and set gamma to 50.

 

Hi

Lots to learn :), just trying as I go, finding the sun without a finder was a challenge haha. It's certainly a challenge! Found a great YT tutorial on settings for disc and prominences.

Here's the capture details, pretty sure gamma should be 0?

Camera=ZWO ASI290MM
Filter=L
Profile=Sun
Filename=Sun_094432.ser
Date=110420
Start=094407.620
Mid=094432.690
End=094457.760
Start(UT)=084407.620
Mid(UT)=084432.690
End(UT)=084457.760
Duration=50.140s
Date_format=ddMMyy
Time_format=HHmmss
LT=UT 
Frames captured=2000
File type=SER
Binning=no
ROI=1936x1096
ROI(Offset)=0x0
FPS (avg.)=39
Shutter=10.00ms
Gain=104 (17%)
Brightness=18 (off)
Gamma=100
AutoHisto=75 (off)
HighSpeed=off
USBTraffic=40 (off)
FPS=100 (off)
AutoExposure=off
AutoGain=off
SoftwareGain=10 (off)
Histogramm(min)=0
Histogramm(max)=184
Histogramm=72%
Noise(avg.deviation)=n/a
Limit=2000 Frames
Sensor temperature=33.5°C
Focuser position=2617

[Merlin66]

Using FireCapture...

For the ASI 290MM the zero gain is 110 and set the gamma to 50.

Vary the exposure to bring the right hand edge of the histogram to around 85-90%.