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[erikruud]

Over the last couple days, I have been working on my filters for the Venus Transit.

This one is for the 102mm Mak so I can make direct comparisons with the Orion glass filter I have.


This is for the Ares 5. The shape will help shade the eyepiece area.


It includes a built is solar finder.


These will be for my 10x50 binoculars.


This shows how they fit.

[Paulie pchris00]

I wish I had thought of making a shade. I will probably try to do something, but being Newtonians, my focusers are close to the aperture opening, especially on my 4.5". If nothing else, some posterboard will do.

I also like your Sun finder, but how exactly does it work? Line it up until the shadow disappears?

[erikruud]

Yes. You just move the scope in the opposite diretion of the shadow. I stole the basic concept from a commercial sun finder I saw on the internet.

[erikruud]

I got a chance to try out the filter for the binoculars and the Ares 5 today.

Here is the Ares. The shade part could have been taller.


Here we are not aligned.


And now we are.


I still can't get the hang of afocal shots.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Solar focusing is very difficult I have found.

What's sharp in the eyepiece/projection screen...is often not the same in the camera's field and hard to focus.

But I do have a plan...

[erikruud]

I haven't made much progress with my web cam yet, but it is next on my list.

Last night I finally finished the mount for my home made finder so I can mount it on the Mak. I have a solar filter for the finder.

I went out to Hickory Knolls the other day to check on the field of view. I think the best place for Rich and I will be on the west side of the parking lot where we did the October star party. That way we don't have to worry about people pulling in and blocking our views.

At 5:00 PM the Venus should be due west.


At 8:00 PM it will be at 298 degrees.


Our viewing range looks something like this.


I don't know exactly when the sun will hit the trees.

We could possibly set up on the hill just to the south of the parking lot, but I haven't walked up there to see what it's like up there.

[Paulie pchris00]

Erik's got all angles covered.

[erikruud]

Almost. I need to get a scope out there and checkout the altitude angles for the tree line.

[Paulie pchris00]

Meh. If they're not out to see it early, they deserve to lose the transit to trees just before sunset.


(just kidding)

[-=CROMAN=-]

Erik that's sweet! I think we'll be in good shape. The trees may be an issue at the end. Maybe I can swing by there around 8pm tonight.

[erikruud]

Rich, I took this shot on May 21st at 8:21 PM.

The sun is the about where the sun was at that time.

I think the lines I have added are close to what are range of view will be.

[-=CROMAN=-]

That's cool Erik! I think we'll have enough time under the sun to gather much data. Too bad we wont be able to view the egress interior. We will be able to end the day with a near transit center from that location. I'm praying for clear skies and lots of sunspot activity! I think being able to snap some pics of Venus occulting a massive sunspot would be awesome.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I like the compass graphic Erik.

How is that done?

[erikruud]

Well, first you need a giant compass, then you need an airplane with a recon camera. ;D

Actually, just go here: googlecompass.com/

[erikruud]

It even adjusts for magnetic declination when you click on draw route.

Here is true north as seen from the Adler.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Erik....

You too cool man.

[Paulie pchris00]

May 30, 2012 12:01:00 GMT -6 -=CROMAN=- said:

I'm praying for clear skies and lots of sunspot activity! I think being able to snap some pics of Venus occulting a massive sunspot would be awesome.

It didn't happen in 2004, but I don't know what solar activity was like then. Given recent activity, I don't think it's an unreasonable expectation. After second contact, I think Venus passing near or occulting a sunspot or group will be the only real excitement.

[-=CROMAN=-]

Im not done with my battery system yet! I may need to move up on the patio area for power. My buddy gave me a 120 ah battery but I have no box, connectors, etc.. I think if I'm up on the deck I can at least capture the first couple hours without issue. The other thing is if I move up to the deck I can broadcast the video to the projector. What do you think

[erikruud]

Have you checked the views from the deck? There are all kinds of trees just west of the building.

What kind of connectors do you need?

[RobbW]

Yep, I would think your view of the transit would get cut real short by that treeline on the west side of the Discovery Center.

[erikruud]

I will bring the battery from my camper as well. We can get the power needs straightened out.

[-=CROMAN=-]

I'm not sure what connectors I need. I'm pretty sure I need something like a 30amp inline fuse, a cigarette lighter jack and some wire with terminal connectors. I also need a charger and inverter to run the laptop. I'm only planning on recording the ingress part so maybe I can skip the inverter for now.

[RobbW]

Sounds like a trip to The Shack is in order. That's where I got all my connectors! I believe I got my charger from Batteries Plus.

[erikruud]

American Science & Surplus

[erikruud]

I just picked up enough parts so that we can have up to five 12 volt sockets and a usb socket available.

I don't have an inverter though.

[-=CROMAN=-]

Here she comes!

[patrickm]

IT'S HERE!!

;D

After much thought, I've decided to set up my Ha scope on the hill at Horner Park (the A on the attached pic) and share the views with family, friends, and neighbors. I'll get there before 4pm to start setting up. If you're on the north side of Chicago, please come by and join me.

Sun is very active, so this should be quite a fun evening.

Clear skies, everybody!
patrick

Attachments:

[Centaur]

Jun 4, 2012 21:59:01 GMT -6 patrickm said:

IT'S HERE!!

;D

After much thought, I've decided to set up my Ha scope on the hill at Horner Park (the A on the attached pic) and share the views with family, friends, and neighbors. I'll get there before 4pm to start setting up. If you're on the north side of Chicago, please come by and join me.

Sun is very active, so this should be quite a fun evening.

Clear skies, everybody!
patrick

Patrick, my brother Kent lives near Horner Park and will join you there with his girlfriend Kristy.

[patrickm]

Curt: Great!

All: ***squeeeee!***