UVB Filters

pvelez (Pete) · #1 15-08-2009, 02:21 PM

I am demonstrating my ignorance here...

I've been reading about UVB filters - used in photometry to determine the peak brightness curve for a given star to work out its temperature and therefore other features eg luminosity.

So I looked at the trusty Bintel website and can find naught on these sorts of filters.

My question is this - are these types of filter readily available in Aus? and if so, what sort of CCD camera do I need to use them? I have a modded 350D which will do the trick for the V and B elements but I doubt it has the responsiveness for the ultraviolet component. How about the trusty Orion Autoguider?

I'm looking at a project for my SOA course which calls for some observation using this technology. I suspect that my humble equipment won't do the trick but if its only a modest expense, I might give it a go

Anyone have any info that might help?

Pete

citivolus (Ric) · #2 15-08-2009, 02:38 PM

Do you mean a UBVRI set? I had the Schuler set from Astrodon until my V fogged. Now it is UBRI :p

I can't find an Australian dealer selling photometric sets, so you may need to import.

Be warned in advance, these are not cheap.

http://www.optcorp.com/ProductList.a...9-327-1157-863

http://www.astrodon.com/products/fil...rics_-_uvbric/

Regards,
Eric

pvelez (Pete) · #3 15-08-2009, 02:40 PM

OUCH!!!

OK, I'd better find another project! Thanks for the tip Eric.

Pete

citivolus (Ric) · #4 15-08-2009, 02:42 PM

Oh, found an Australian dealer for you:

http://www.atscope.com.au/custom.html

pvelez (Pete) · #5 15-08-2009, 02:48 PM

Thanks Eric - prices will kill this idea. Better look at a research projec instead.

That said, photometry looks interesting.

Pete

pvelez (Pete) · #6 15-08-2009, 02:54 PM

Looks like a DSI Pro wil do the trick - pity the filters are so expensive!

Pete

renormalised (Carl) · #7 15-08-2009, 04:24 PM

SOA...what course is that one???

Decent UBVRI filters will set you back quite a bit.

What you could do, though, is use the DSI Pro to track some asteroids, work out their distances and orbital elements from your images. That wouldn't be a bad project to sink your teeth into

Peter Ward · #8 15-08-2009, 07:30 PM

Guys....OK the ATS site pricing is out of date, but the cost of a Bessel Formula UBVRI set is very close to $A1250 at present.....thanks to Kev and the Yo-Yo $A....then again....a quick phone call to ATS would have made this clear.

renormalised (Carl) · #9 15-08-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

the cost of a Bessel Formula UBVRI set is very close to $A1250 at present

Still not cheap, Peter. OK if you're carrying a black AmEx card but not when you're on a budget....a student's one at that!!!

Bassnut (Fred) · #10 15-08-2009, 08:03 PM

Oh Peter, that 3nm Ha price is seriously "out of date"

.

Anyway, in about 3 weeks, ill have a full set of Custom scientific UBVRI filters for sale for about AU$800 (S/H) if anyone is interested.

Peter Ward · #11 15-08-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renormalised

Still not cheap, Peter. OK if you're carrying a black AmEx card but not when you're on a budget....a student's one at that!!!

True enough...but they cost what they cost.

I actually tried to get an Aussie manufacturer to make a run of filters...the cost was around double the $US175 ea....hence it never happened

I dare say had I asked for cricket bats it would have been cheaper....

Peter Ward · #12 15-08-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassnut

Oh Peter, that 3nm Ha price is seriously "out of date"

.

Anyway, in about 3 weeks, ill have a full set of Custom scientific UBVRI filters for sale for about AU$800 (S/H) if anyone is interested.

Yep...out of date for sure...I see CS don't even offer a 3nm filter !!

$800 for a UBVRI set. Pretty dammed good price! (unless the filters were attached to Dremel and used to polish rocks)

pvelez (Pete) · #13 15-08-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renormalised

SOA...what course is that one???

Decent UBVRI filters will set you back quite a bit.

What you could do, though, is use the DSI Pro to track some asteroids, work out their distances and orbital elements from your images. That wouldn't be a bad project to sink your teeth into

Your are right Carl - I was tempted by the asteroid-related projects - still considering them as an alternative.

Stupidly I enrolled in both HET602 (Exploring the Solar System) and HET603 (Exploring Stars and the Milky Way). I fear I have bitten off more than I could chew - but its for fun so what the heck.

Pete

renormalised (Carl) · #14 15-08-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

True enough...but they cost what they cost.

I actually tried to get an Aussie manufacturer to make a run of filters...the cost was around double the $US175 ea....hence it never happened

I dare say had I asked for cricket bats it would have been cheaper....

True...and they're worth every penny.

Well cricket bats are about as high-tech as they get out here...anything else and you'd get the usual reply "Oh, we can't make those out here...too difficult, don't have the expertise, can't get the parts/materials etc etc etc".

renormalised (Carl) · #15 15-08-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvelez

Your are right Carl - I was tempted by the asteroid-related projects - still considering them as an alternative.

Stupidly I enrolled in both HET602 (Exploring the Solar System) and HET603 (Exploring Stars and the Milky Way). I fear I have bitten off more than I could chew - but its for fun so what the heck.

Pete

You're doing two subjects....I'm doing an entire masters degree!!!

I can't chew

pvelez (Pete) · #16 15-08-2009, 08:40 PM

I take my hat off to you - v brave.

I'm studying for the first time in 16 years so I fear I am rusty

Pete

renormalised (Carl) · #17 15-08-2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvelez

I take my hat off to you - v brave.

I'm studying for the first time in 16 years so I fear I am rusty

Pete

Been nearly that long since I last studied....apart from starting my degree last year. As they say, it's like riding a bike

Karls48 (Karl) · #18 16-08-2009, 08:27 AM

Have look on - Photometry by J.E Hoot. http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2002SASS...21...29H and click “Send PDF”
Article is about using cheap Wratten filters for Photometry.
I have tried #21 and #58 for error ranging from 0.05 to 0.3 magnitudes. I tried it only on one night as filters don’t fit in my filter wheel and changing them manually is a pain.

renormalised (Carl) · #19 16-08-2009, 08:42 AM

The guy that wrote that article....you could say his a real hoot...literally