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[Paulie pchris00]

Something I missed... Good thinking.

[erikruud]

My Seymour Solar film arrived today.

Joe, keep in mind that the mylar film is only a radiant heat barrier, so you will need to make sure there is an air gap between the film and what you are trying to protect. If you wrap it right on the surface of the OTA it will still transfer a lot of heat to the OTA,

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

UPDATE:

The Kendricks and the Thousand Oaks are both Off-Axis type of filters...

A no go for this Chicago Astronomer - it's Full Aperture baby or nothin'.

One of the dealers suggested this one...

Still undecided on the Orion full aperture glass filter, this one... or just making my own from a hunk of Baader film.

Stay tuned.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Erik,

Agreed.

The intent was to loosely shield the OTA, rather crumpled like and not install it as a second skin type of deal.

But, I'm glad you are bringing it up.

Show us the pics of your Seymour...!

[erikruud]

My Seymour is bigger than yours. ;D

I ordered a 9x12 sheet so that I had extra just in case. Otherwise it looks just like yours.

I have to scrounge up something to make the frame out of.

[tomlee]

Got this scope during the holiday but is returning for refund just thought I take last shot at it before repacking and just what I was hoping for. This happened (two large jets and one smoking within minutes) the first time I set up the solar projection but miss the chance to photograph or video taping it. Today I happen to have the video set going and it happens again.


Img_MVI_6166_e_ps by t m l, on Flickr

Wish I had the HD video on then I would have had a 1 mb video capture.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Nice Tom.

What was the scope that you got?

Near sunsets are the best time to catch aircrafts zipping across the solar face.

[erikruud]

Yes, very nice. I have to try that soon.

[tomlee]

Jan 9, 2012 22:25:43 GMT -6 erikruud said:

Yes, very nice. I have to try that soon.

Thanks and good luck!

Jan 9, 2012 22:14:55 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

Nice Tom.

What was the scope that you got?

Near sunsets are the best time to catch aircrafts zipping across the solar face.

Joe, the below RMA should tell it all. The price was right and even though I did not like it I was going to keep it but it broke.

I purchased it at Optics Plantet and went to pick it up. But they don't allow return to be dropped off by customer. That's not good. I won't say their customer service is bad if they credit me after inspecting the return items. But they are not Costco.

RMA Details:

1 Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Refractor Telescope Package w/ Motor Drive, Tripod 21048-OP
Reason: Defective Item - Declination axis movement failed. Locking knob is not releasing clutch when unlocked.

The price was $114.99. Hahahaa!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Alright - finally settled on a filter....

C.A. Bill guided me to this Astromart classified ad on a Full Aperture C11 Solar Filter. In communication with the seller, he stated that it came with the scope he got and he just doesn't do solar observation.

At $75.00 + $15.00 FedEx shipping = $90.00.

Cheaper than anywhere else I can find for a glass filter. The brand new Orion, at the very least, would have cost $135.00.

Now, it's not a true full spectrum white light light filter (like the Baaders). It will impart a Yellowish-Orange tint to the image...which is ok - but I'm still considering a Baader film as well...later on.

I'm telling you kids...get your solar filters NOW....before they get all scooped up or the prices get hiked up. I'm seeing a lot of "Backordered" and "Out of Stocked" posting at many vendors already. Venus Transit madness will be pushed and over-hyped to the general public soon.

Pics of the filter when it arrives.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

On it's way....



Yay....!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

My filter is making it's way north...

Should be here before the snow.

Hope I can test it out soon and not wait.

[Paulie pchris00]

Jan 11, 2012 10:06:15 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

Hope I can test it out soon and not wait.

You know the one week rule...

[erikruud]

Some how, I didn't have to wait a week with my Agena order.
I may have to wait that long or longer to try my filter, but that's a scheduling thing, nit the weather.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

And we have arrival....

I was out in the back yard, when the Fedex dude shouts down the gangway asking if I'm expecting a package.

Oh, but of course...

After my yard work, I anxiously open up the very well protected and wrapped filter...

The outside box looked good, with only a hand-grasped indentation. The inner box was wrapped in bubble wrap. (My cat doesn't seem impressed.)

The filter itself was also wrapped in bubble wrap and with a small envelope...

...Cat still isn't impressed.

And in a nice plastic bag...

The filter is a good shape, with some minor fingerprints, dust and in need of a couple of wipes...

Checking out the filtering against my desk lamp, I could view the filament easily and comfortably...

The outside rim has minor scuffs, (as mentioned in the ad), and can easily be rubbed out with polishing compound if desired...

...and the inside has a double row of cushioned tape in great condition.

The filter's nylon hold-down screws are good, but two did pop out of the ring's sockets... easily popped back in, but I would feel better with a drop of Crazy Glue...

Back to that small envelope...

In are several extra cushion pads and a soft cloth...nice.

And as we all know, this delivery brought to us, Chicago's first snowstorm of the 2011/2012 winter season.

Sorry kids.

First sunny day, we will be testing the filter on the C11. Thanks to Astromart seller, James in Georgia, for protecting the filter well for it trip up north...

Oh...at least one of my cats digs solar astronomy....

...the other one - still unimpressed...idiot.

[Paulie pchris00]

Who is not impressed with bubble wrap?!?

Heathen...

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

My Bag-o Mylar came in....

Ten packets of Mylar sheets pour out.

Tightly packed, it comes out like a machine gunners ammo belt. Highly reflective and lightweight when unfolded - (84" x 52"). The material is very thin - translucent and easily seen through...

Looking over the label...

Used by space crafts.

Nice.

I think it will serve very well in Chicago Astronomer activities. I'm sure I can think of several uses for these...

[jeremy]

Joe, we really screwed everyone by both getting our filters on the same day. My solar filter arrived today too. Sorry for the week of snow everyone!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Oh sweet...

I enjoy being a co-Lord of the weather.

[headdunce]

Jan 10, 2012 8:42:29 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

I'm telling you kids...get your solar filters NOW....before they get all scooped up or the prices get hiked up. I'm seeing a lot of "Backordered" and "Out of Stocked" posting at many vendors already. Venus Transit madness will be pushed and over-hyped to the general public soon.

Ohhhhhh... Venus Transit... now I get it
eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/transit/venus/Map2012-2.GIF

[Paulie pchris00]

Jan 14, 2012 7:33:09 GMT -6 headdunce said:

Jan 10, 2012 8:42:29 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

I'm telling you kids...get your solar filters NOW....before they get all scooped up or the prices get hiked up. I'm seeing a lot of "Backordered" and "Out of Stocked" posting at many vendors already. Venus Transit madness will be pushed and over-hyped to the general public soon.

Ohhhhhh... Venus Transit... now I get it
eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/transit/venus/Map2012-2.GIF

Yes! Unless you're planning on waiting until December 2117, best to catch the one this year. Only 143 days, 7 hours, 35 minutes, 15 seconds to go.

[Paulie pchris00]

Joe, each sheet is 84"x52"? I'm thinking about getting a pack.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

First trial test of the Full 11" Aperture Solar Filter -

I have been anxious to try out my new Solar filter since it's arrival, but it brought with it clouds and a mini snow storm. This day had partly cloudy skies and time for an opportunity to try out a new adventure in solar observation.

On my property, there is a small window of direct-line solar angle, and I only had minutes before I lost it - not prepping in time. Not wanting to waste the chance, I set up down the alley, away from my garage at a clear patch of sky...

Slipping on the glass filter on the OTA, it fit snugly and without any additional shimming or adaptations. I tightened the lock down screws and tested the fit.

Snug and ready...

Slewing south and targeting the Sun, I was very pleased on my first view...

Details galore.

The filter imparts a orange-yellowish hue/tint to the solar disk - more yellowish - reflected closely as shown above.

Right from the start, I'm catching Unmbras, Pen-umbras, granulation and faculae in nice detail. It was difficult at first to achieve sharp focus, as the brightness of the solar disk is not very friendly to focus upon, such as objects that reflect light, but with the Crayford focuser, I was able to make small minute adjustments and bring to the best focus I could during this preliminary field test.

Spaceweather.com says that Sunspot 1402 was the "Arrow-head" that I was viewing...

I'm catching similar artifacts in my session, but it looks like things were already shifted since Spaceweather posted their pic earlier in the day. The lighter line splitting 1402 in two was easily captured, as well as smaller spots...including granulation.

I spent about an hour in the cold, (22 degrees and breeze), taking my first pics with this filter..and very pleased. Adjusting the Canon Powershot S3 white balance settings, I am able to skew the color to various light passes...

Switching to Tungsten, the disk took on a cool blue tint in images..and with more detail - and Sunspot 1402 and friends were putting on a good showing...

Neighbors stopped by to see what I was doing, and formed a small line to get the chance to view the Sun.

.... But it's not what they expected. Instead of a cool observable disk that greeted them, they expected a fireball, full of movement and action. Some could not grasp what they were observing, seeing just a white light. I attempted to explain that the full disk was in view in the 40mm 2" eyepiece, and that those dark smudges were sunspots - larger than the size of the Earth. But for most, it was not impressive. A couple of visitors were fascinated that they were able to view the Sun safely and see the surface...but for most - a passing curiosity. (Something to take into planning consideration for future solar observation sessions for the Chicago Astronomers who do such public sessions.)

I went back to my testing...

This next one is probably the best of the lot in terms of Faculae...

Popping in a 26mm eyepiece and zooming in a bit with the camera, I was able to capture the "Arrow-Head" Umbra...

My mailman stopped by for a bit, very interested in astronomy and we often talk about the subject - especially when I receive astronomical materials in the mail. This was his first time seeing my C11 and was impressed - and in awe of the Solar disk. Soon after I broke down the site, it started to cloud over and I was happy I had the chance to try out this new tool.

Summary:

This first loose test of the Full C11 Aperture Solar filter was a good one. I feel that the full aperture provides the much needed resolution clarity lost in off-axis limited aperture set-ups. I found no turbulences or gross distortions viewing in this manner - as warned by others. The OTA did not heat up, (but it was a cold day afterall), and with very small slight turns of the Crayford, different parts of the solar disk came into focus - bringing in different solar artifacts into view and losing others.

I did have the Light pollution filter already attached to the 40mm and a 80A blue filter on the 26mm from previous sessions, but wish to conduct the next solar test raw. I did barlow the 26mm to a 13mm - and viewed very good details in the Arrow-head sunspot. I am anxious to try a shoot-out between this Orion filter and the Seymour film filter I got earlier. But I think I already know that the 11" will surpass the Seymour in clarity and detail...especially in Tungsten White balance for imaging - but both have a place in observations.

This filter is well worth the funds spent on it and will recoup in no time. I highly recommend it.... #Thumbsup#

[headdunce]

Awe all the images aren't working in your last post Joe

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Jim,

All the images seem to be fine...even on my Smartphone.

Check again please.

Windows 95 is so 1994.

[erikruud]

Something is not quite right with the pictures.

I couldn't see them either, just the Photobucket "This picture has been moved or deleted" image.

But when I clicked on the reply button to tell you that, I could see the pictures in the Topic Summary below the reply box.

The C11 looks naked in those pictures without a dozen finders on it. ;D

[headdunce]

Weird....

Alright so in Firefox, I get these little images that say "This image or video has been moved or deleted - Photobucket"

Then I went to reply to your post, and when I looked at the post below the "reply" box all the images were showing up. I went back to the post (without the reply box on top) and all the images were gone again replaced by the bad image icon.

Ironically, it seems to show them fine in IE.

Very odd.

[erikruud]

After posting my reply and returning to the regular topic view, I still don't see the picture.

I checked the URL of the first picture in both views and their is a difference.

The regular one looks like this.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f101/chicagoastronomer/Astronomical/Observation%20Sessions/12Jan18%20Solar/005.jpg%20

In the topic summary it looks like this.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f101/chicagoastronomer/Astronomical/Observation%20Sessions/12Jan18%20Solar/005.jpg

The %20 on the end is the culprit. %20 is an html character code for a space. Something is appending the blank and then Photobucket can't find the correct image. I don't know if it is Firefox or Proboards at fault.


I tried recreating the link without the %20, but when I check the URL the %20 is on the end again.

[erikruud]

I just checked in IE8 and Google Chrome the images appear just fine.

[Paulie pchris00]

They showed up fine in Chrome last night and again this morning.

Out of curiosity, when the Doane does solar observing, what aperture do they use? Do they use the full 20"? Or do you maybe have the largest aperture semi-publicly available solar scope in Chicago?

For public solar sessions, what about using the 90mm guide scope with a closed projection screen system? Most of the public solar sessions I've done have gone over well with the people interested enough to take a look. Just plain white light, on plain white cardboard. I don't know how well it would go over during a solar minimum like Solar Cycle 23, but since 24 has started ramping up, I've had success showing the Sun.

I think I'm going to make my full aperture filter for my Dob today.