dkCambridgeshire Posted March 24, 2015 Share #1 Posted March 24, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Peterborough Astronomical Society co-hosted an eclipse party with Sacrewell Farm (a local heritage farm/craft centre) and we were very lucky to experience clear skies throughout the two hour transit. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Setting up at 08.00hrs. If you look carefully there are 3 home made Solar funnel projectors visible in readiness for attaching to telescopes … one on the chair, one on the table and one right at the back. Visitors viewing the partial eclipse via solar glasses and a modified welder's eyeshield (latter not supplied by the Society and used at observer's own risk) Viewing and photographing the eclipse via a solar projection funnel attached to the eyepiece of a refractor 'scope ... I made several projection funnels for the event … construction took hours of marking out, cutting and assembly. The projection screens are made from engineers drafting film; funnels are constructed from Daler board. Apart from the eclipse, Sunspots are clearly visible on the projection screen. The size of the Sun's image depends on the ratio of focal length of the 'scope objective lens and the focal length of the eyepiece .. and how far the projection screen is from the eyepiece. The further back the screen, the larger the image. Projection screens provide a safe method for viewing the eclipse. Note that visitors use smart phones for photography. I wonder if Leica will market their own version of Panasonic's latest phone-camera? All photos taken with my X1 … cont'd Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Setting up at 08.00hrs. If you look carefully there are 3 home made Solar funnel projectors visible in readiness for attaching to telescopes … one on the chair, one on the table and one right at the back. Visitors viewing the partial eclipse via solar glasses and a modified welder's eyeshield (latter not supplied by the Society and used at observer's own risk) Viewing and photographing the eclipse via a solar projection funnel attached to the eyepiece of a refractor 'scope ... I made several projection funnels for the event … construction took hours of marking out, cutting and assembly. The projection screens are made from engineers drafting film; funnels are constructed from Daler board. Apart from the eclipse, Sunspots are clearly visible on the projection screen. The size of the Sun's image depends on the ratio of focal length of the 'scope objective lens and the focal length of the eyepiece .. and how far the projection screen is from the eyepiece. The further back the screen, the larger the image. Projection screens provide a safe method for viewing the eclipse. Note that visitors use smart phones for photography. I wonder if Leica will market their own version of Panasonic's latest phone-camera? All photos taken with my X1 … cont'd ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/242691-peterboroughs-partial-solar-eclipse/?do=findComment&comment=2785948'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 Hi dkCambridgeshire, Take a look here Peterborough's Partial Solar Eclipse. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dkCambridgeshire Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted March 24, 2015 …. continuation Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! This is me getting ready to observe the eclipse with my Lunt solar 'scope using a Harrison focusing cloth … more image detail is visible when viewing in darkness. Harrison focusing cloths are used by large format camera photographers - I bought my cloth secondhand from that well known d...d… dealer Viewing the eclipse whilst buried under the Harrison focusing cloth Mother and daughter viewing the eclipse through my Lunt solar 'scope. The mother considered that it was important and educational for her daughter to see the eclipse safely ... so the daughter was not taken to school until after 10.30am My colleague's Lunt scope was hitched up to a camera and laptop enabling visitors to see the eclipse and the texture of the Sun in comfort Happy young lady about to view the eclipse through my Lunt solar 'scope. If you think that Leica lenses are expensive, I am saving to buy an additional 'double stack' filter module for the scope; the filter will cost more than a new 50mm Summicron lens. We had a super eclipse party and all the visitors thoroughly enjoyed the event. All pics taken with my 5 year old X1 .. and all taken as JPEGs. On the Friday evening the Society was invited to participate in the BBC2 Stargazing Live event at Leicester Racecourse - where the X1 was used again to document the observing proceedings - using red filtered flash for B&W images. I'll post some pics asap. Best wishes dunk Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! This is me getting ready to observe the eclipse with my Lunt solar 'scope using a Harrison focusing cloth … more image detail is visible when viewing in darkness. Harrison focusing cloths are used by large format camera photographers - I bought my cloth secondhand from that well known d...d… dealer Viewing the eclipse whilst buried under the Harrison focusing cloth Mother and daughter viewing the eclipse through my Lunt solar 'scope. The mother considered that it was important and educational for her daughter to see the eclipse safely ... so the daughter was not taken to school until after 10.30am My colleague's Lunt scope was hitched up to a camera and laptop enabling visitors to see the eclipse and the texture of the Sun in comfort Happy young lady about to view the eclipse through my Lunt solar 'scope. If you think that Leica lenses are expensive, I am saving to buy an additional 'double stack' filter module for the scope; the filter will cost more than a new 50mm Summicron lens. We had a super eclipse party and all the visitors thoroughly enjoyed the event. All pics taken with my 5 year old X1 .. and all taken as JPEGs. On the Friday evening the Society was invited to participate in the BBC2 Stargazing Live event at Leicester Racecourse - where the X1 was used again to document the observing proceedings - using red filtered flash for B&W images. I'll post some pics asap. Best wishes dunk ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/242691-peterboroughs-partial-solar-eclipse/?do=findComment&comment=2785949'>More sharing options...
pauledell Posted March 24, 2015 Share #3 Posted March 24, 2015 Dunk, A fine series of astromonical finds by the interested people. How fortunate you were to have seen that magnificent event. Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted March 24, 2015 Share #4 Posted March 24, 2015 Wonderful series Dunk, post some more please. AND, some Ha from the Lunt, single stack is fine. Solar imaging is a passion of mine too. Never thought of using my X1 for it though!!!> Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iduna Posted March 24, 2015 Share #5 Posted March 24, 2015 Dunk, many thanks for letting us share your astronomic party. I enjoyed the pictures very much and still regret that we had all mist and fog here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted March 24, 2015 Wonderful series Dunk, post some more please. AND, some Ha from the Lunt, single stack is fine. Solar imaging is a passion of mine too. Never thought of using my X1 for it though!!!> Gary I have not yet commenced imaging directly through my Lunt 'scope … have not had the 'scope long. Funnel construction method might be of interest - but it's a time consuming process and took me approx 8 hours to make the following over two days. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Funnel design is geared to actual length of one sheet of Daler board … dived exactly into 4 sections … and making allowance for a deep hood plus a square ferrule to fit a 'scope eyepiece The black side of the Daler board forms the interior of the funnel … black reduces internal reflections Showing how cut and scored board forms the funnel Construction of the screen using foam board and translucent engineers' drafting film … but tracing paper could also be used Work in progress … all folds are reinforced with gaffer tape which also enhances rigidity Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Funnel design is geared to actual length of one sheet of Daler board … dived exactly into 4 sections … and making allowance for a deep hood plus a square ferrule to fit a 'scope eyepiece The black side of the Daler board forms the interior of the funnel … black reduces internal reflections Showing how cut and scored board forms the funnel Construction of the screen using foam board and translucent engineers' drafting film … but tracing paper could also be used Work in progress … all folds are reinforced with gaffer tape which also enhances rigidity ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/242691-peterboroughs-partial-solar-eclipse/?do=findComment&comment=2786146'>More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted March 24, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! The ferrule is lined with foam to grip the eyepiece The finished article with two different sized screens. Nothing was really measured beforehand .. all done intuitively to utilise the area of one sheet of Daler board which in effect was divided into 4 … and then using a T square, set square and straight edge, the hood depth and funnel tapers were 'guestimated' to enable comfortable viewing and a reasonable screen size … and on the basis that if it looked right it would work … and it works very well. The 'back projection' funnels provide a very safe means to observe the Sun through a telescope and at minimum cost. Most of the photos taken with Leica C Best wishes dunk Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! The ferrule is lined with foam to grip the eyepiece The finished article with two different sized screens. Nothing was really measured beforehand .. all done intuitively to utilise the area of one sheet of Daler board which in effect was divided into 4 … and then using a T square, set square and straight edge, the hood depth and funnel tapers were 'guestimated' to enable comfortable viewing and a reasonable screen size … and on the basis that if it looked right it would work … and it works very well. The 'back projection' funnels provide a very safe means to observe the Sun through a telescope and at minimum cost. Most of the photos taken with Leica C Best wishes dunk ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/242691-peterboroughs-partial-solar-eclipse/?do=findComment&comment=2786147'>More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share #8 Posted March 24, 2015 Usual H&S precautions apply when using a projection funnel for solar observing; 1) Use a solar mask on the scope objective lens to reduce aperture to less than 3" thus reducing danger of overheating optics. Most reflector 'scopes are provided with the necessary OEM mask. 2) Use a simple and preferably uncemented eyepiece … the eyepiece will inevitably become very hot or overheat and the lens elements' cement can melt. 3) Do not use the 'scope continuously … allow it to cool as often as necessary after 'feeling' the eyepiece temperature … and then recommence observing. dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted March 24, 2015 Share #9 Posted March 24, 2015 A terrific set, especially from #3 on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iduna Posted March 25, 2015 Share #10 Posted March 25, 2015 Dunk, you documentary is very informative and I admire your whole effort. This is dedication and I suppose it was great fun. Thanks for sharing this with us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted March 25, 2015 Share #11 Posted March 25, 2015 Dunk, what an inspired documentary feature and carefully planned event. Congratulations to you and all concerned! Great use of very competent Leica X1... I suggest you put one of the most descriptive pictures in a Leica photo forum with a link to this thread. No everyone delves into camera-specific threads. The series deserves the widest possible exposure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted March 27, 2015 Share #12 Posted March 27, 2015 Agree with all the other praise Dunk, truly fantastic commitment. Get the Lunt up and running, if you need any "advice" (I doubt it), PM me, I can help. A shame, I'd love to upload an Ha shot or two, simply for general interest, but nothing was taken with Leica gear, so can't. Used a Zeiss refractor, and webcam unfortunately. Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bateleur Posted March 27, 2015 Share #13 Posted March 27, 2015 Fascinating series. I for one would like to see the non Leica stuff too. Regards Charles Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.