New Spectroscope - Spectra-L200

Merlin66 (Ken) · #1 16-07-2010, 12:42 PM

At long last the new spectroscope project is nearing completion.
This is a Littrow design with a 210mm collimator and a 600 l/mm grating.
Still being tested and calibrated, but early results are very promising.
These instruments will be made available to members of the Y! group astronomical_spectroscopy as an "IKEA" knock-down kit.

sheeny (Al) · #2 16-07-2010, 04:30 PM

Looks reeeeeaaallll good Ken!

I'm looking forward to getting the kit too!

Al.

theodog (Jeff) · #3 18-07-2010, 06:32 AM

Looks very nice indeedy

.
Having watched the design process on the Y! Group it should be a cracker.
Well done so far Ken.

Merlin66 (Ken) · #4 19-07-2010, 05:11 AM

Thanks Guys!
Certainly a labour of love. I just hope it lives up to expectations...

Merlin66 (Ken) · #5 15-09-2010, 06:18 PM

Well, the first batch of Spectra-L200 are being assembled and used.
You can see from Terry's thread the excellent results being obtained "straight out the box" - well - after painting and assembly

I'm getting spectra from observations in France which are close to the design resolution and being used to measure binary stars.
Onwards...and upwards.

sheeny (Al) · #6 15-09-2010, 06:36 PM

Excellent Ken.

I've just started rectifying my little painting faux pa

. Just sanded back smooth to remove any lip between the matt black and external colour, and applied another coat of primer. I've made a template by tracing around the side panels so when I go to mask and paint the black sections again I get the right side this time

. Tomorrow, if get the chance, I'll finish paint the outside of the side panels, then sometime after than I'll mask and paint the black sections of the side panels.

The assembly can resume.

Al.

Merlin66 (Ken) · #7 15-09-2010, 06:55 PM

Al,
Sorry about the mis-information

You can use the centres of the M4 inserts to align your masking tape/ template - this will ensure the inside black doesn't show from the outside.
Ken
ps (I did exactly the same (Doh) when I painted the first production unit...I looked at the original prototype and just copied..forgetting about the alignment required for the Neon Shutter...so you're not alone!!)