Imaging telescopes or lenses: Coronado PST · TS PHOTOLINE 102 mm f/7 FPL-53 Doublet Apo
Imaging cameras: ASI290MM
Mounts: Sky-Watcher EQ-6 Skyscan
Software: FireCapture · Astra Image PS Plugins · Adobe Photoshop CC · AutoStakkert!
Accessory: PAG Gomal lens (-300 mm) · 1.5x Barlow
Resolution: 1093x905
Locations: Rahva Observatoorium, Munalaskme, Estonia
Data source: Backyard
After about 10-years delay, I decided to recommence H-alpha solar imaging. For that purpose, I assembled a modified Coronado PST telescope, coupled with a TS 102 f/7 refractor. The modification was made with an aid of a specially designed afocal corrector lens ("Gomal") installed in front of the Coronado objective. The purpose of the corrector is to converst the incoming light into a parallel beam before it enters the Coronado. The system was introduced and popularized by Russian astrophotographer Alexey Prudnikov. "Gomal" correctors were custom-produced in small amount at the NPZ optical plant in Novosibirsk. I am happy to own one of these rare optical gatgets. About 10 years ago, I used Coronado PST coupled with a 80 mm f/7 refractor, and was really impressed with the system performance. Upgrade to a 100 mm Solarscope afforded even more impressive visual views, along with marvellous photo-quality.
Here is a first-light picture, showing subsiding active region 2765 close to the solar limb on the morning, 14 July 2020 (7:30 UT). The raw video was taken during my visit to Estonian People's Observatory (Munalaskme, Estonia).
Processing details: 16-bit raw video, stacked in AS!3 (600 of 3000 frames), deconvolved in AstraImage. Inverted pseudocolor version. Image B: pseudocolor version.
Comments