PST images, 12 to 17 May 2009

[David_Evans]

Hi,

Here are a few of my PST photographs imaged between 12th to 17th MAY 2009.

These were taken with my 40mm PST, with x2 Barlow and SPC900NC Webcam.

I am looking to modify my PST to increase its aperture to around 80mm - 102mm. Ideally, the tube of new scope would not need to be 'cut down' in any way. Much appreciated if anyone could help with suggestions of suitable telescopes for the mod and also info of the cost of any additional parts (ERF) that would be required.

Active H-alpha Region (with graticule overlay). 12 May 2009, 16:22UT

Active H-alpha Region. 12 May 2009, 16:22UT

Active H-alpha Region. 15 May 2009, 14:19UT

Active H-alpha Region (high magnification) 15 May 2009, 14:19UT

Active H-alpha Region. 16 May 2009, 13:59UT

Prominences and Active H-alpha Region. 17 May 2009, 11:52UT

40mm PST, x2 Barlow and SPC900NC

Active H-alpha Region (high magnification) 17 May 2009, 11:52UT

Many thanks,

Dave

[JAO]

Dave

These are quite excellent

Adrian

[NickH]

Tube - 80mm Vixen A80MF is the best one (or a Vixen Fl102 if you're feelling a bit more flush), but the Vixen A80 at £99 from skylight instruments is a winner

Cut around 75mm off the tube (takes it from f11 to f10 ish).

Get a 2 inch focuser on it (TS do one)

ERF - Don't bother with ANYTHING other than the Baader D-ERF. I have tried several now, they are mostly all inferior (wavefront/glass etc)...the Baader is stonking

[David_Evans]

Thank you Adrian.

I am using HandyAVI to capture two monochrome AVI movies. The first is exposed for the prominences and the second exposure adjusted for the disk features.

Each movie contains 300 frames which are then stacked using Registax5 and wavelets are applied. Adjustments are then made to the prominence photo using Photoshop Elements 4 to create a good contrast image with almost black background and nice red prominences. The disk layer is then contrast and colour adjusted then cut-and-pasted on top of the prominence image as a new layer. Finally, the layers are flattened and the final composite image saved.

I also use Neat Image (freeware version) which I've installed as a filter in Photoshop for enhancing the high magnification images. Neat Image can also be downloaded as a standalone program.

Hopefully if I am able to modify my PST to increase its aperture I can squeeze out perhaps four times as much detail. It's certainly a project I'd like to try.

Kindest regards,

Dave

[David_Evans]

Thanks for your advice Nick, very much appreciated... Do you have any photo's of the mod?

Anyone who has successfully modded their PST please do get in touch.

Kindest regards,

Dave

[NickH]

I have...

and I have many photos using it and with it

just google nickh pst mod or...search the solar images section here for pst80