First light with a SA/100

[beren]

Had a nice intro to spectroscopy last night using a new Star Analyser SA/100 grating filter. Not sure if the attached pics are correct but it was fun getting my " feet wet" . To keep it simple I used a DBK618 colour cam with a TSA-120 at its native focal length . I forgot to order a extra spacing, so to capture I had to place the star and spectrum {first order :P} at a diagonal across the frame. Using Rspec later on it looks like I may have clipped it a bit on the stars I captured. Also with some of the stars it looks like my exposure settings were to low {?}. I just captured a 60 sec AVI of each star and ran it through registax and used RSpec. Hope to have Kens {Harrison, Merlin 66} books arrive in the mail soon to help :).

[Merlin66]

Beren,
Very good start! Well done.
Using a mono camera and orientating across the chip will give best results.
As you are finding a small chip has limitations....
By trying to fit the zero order and the spectrum across the chip you are limiting the dispersion....
The Sirius calibration - I think the prominent dip is the H beta at 4861 try a calibration based on that....
Focus on the spectrum not the zero order.....
Practice, practise, practice.......

[beren]

:thumbsup: Thanks ken.........

Yes, next time out will use one of my mono cams, going by the calculator on the Rspec site I knew it was going to be tight. I imaged Sirius first and calibrated on that first in Rspec...working my way through the video tutorials :)

[Slawomir]

Nice result Beren :thumbsup:

My SA should arrive in a week or so- I really look forward to learning more about star spectra.

[beren]

Thanks Suavi :thumbsup:........


With mine I didn't get instructions but here's a link to it......

http://www.patonhawksley.co.uk/resources/Star_Analyser_100_Instructions_v1-6.pdf


Just take note in the instructions there is a locking ring that goes first in your cameras c- adapter/nosepiece, which helps with the filters orientation. If you set this up correctly you should be good :)

Good luck, I have really enjoyed it

[Slawomir]

Thank you Beren for the link - very useful indeed.

Mine will be SA-200 because it will go inside filter wheel.

[Merlin66]

Suavi,
Which camera do you intend to use?

[Merlin66]

Beren et al,
You should have a serious look at John's BASS Project for the processing of your spectra. Simple to use and has all the features (and more!) that you could ask for.
Recommended.
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/astrobodger/info

[Slawomir]

Ken,

I will be using SA-200 with my QSI 690. It has small pixels (3.69um) and about 3400 horizontally, plus low noise and good QE so I think it should be okay for getting started with spectroscopy. I am planning to use it at 450 and 630mm FL.

Already downloaded BASS software and had a bit of play with star spectra from ESO's website. It looks like I have a LOT to learn! :lol:

[Merlin66]

An obvious "spectroscopy 101" target for novices in the Southern Hemisphere is Eta Car.
Once the A type star calibration is mastered that is great target!
We all know that it's well overdue to brighten (dramatically!!!!!) you could be the first to record the spectrum on its rise....
Onwards and Upwards.

[robin_astro]

Hi,



You can find the manual I wrote specifically for the SA200-F there as well
http://www.patonhawksley.co.uk/resources.html
and more details on my website here
http://www.threehillsobservatory.co.uk/astro/spectroscopy_16.htm

Cheers
Robin
www.threehillsobservatory.co.uk

[Slawomir]

Thank you Robin very much for the links.

The SA-200 arrived today, but will need to wait a bit before I will be able to use it. In the meantime I will read the manuals :-)

[beren]

Thanks Robin :thumbsup: yes Ken trying out the Bass project software