Imaging Sunlight Using A Digital Spectroheliograph (the Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series)
by Ken M. Harrison /
2016 / English / PDF
16.8 MB Download
Ken M. Harrison's latest book is a complete guide for amateur
astronomers who want to obtain detailed narrowband images of the
Sun using a digital spectroheliograph (SHG). The SHG allows the
safe imaging of the Sun without the expense of commercial ‘etalon’
solar filters. As the supporting software continues to be refined,
the use of the digital spectroheliograph will become more and more
mainstream and has the potential to replace the expensive solar
filters currently in use. The early chapters briefly explain
the concept of the SHG and how it can produce an image from the
solar spectrum. A comparison of the currently available narrow band
solar filters is followed by a detailed analysis of the critical
design, construction and assembly features of the SHG. The design
and optimum layout of the instrument is discussed to allow
evaluation of performance. This information explains how
to assemble a fully functional SHG using readily available
components. The software required to process the images is
explained and step by step examples provided, with
various digital instruments around the world highlighted based
on input from many experienced amateurs who have shared their
experience in building and using their spectroheliographs. The
final chapters provide a historical overview of the traditional
spectroheliograph and the later spectrohelioscope, from the initial
G.E.Hale and Deslandres concepts of the 1890’s through to the later
work by Veio and others. The construction and performance of
various instruments is covered in detail, and provides a unique
opportunity to record and appreciate the groundbreaking researches
carried out by amateurs in the 20th century. This is an
absolutely up to date book which fully addresses the watershed,
game changing influence of the digital imaging revolution on the
traditional spectroheliograph.
Ken M. Harrison's latest book is a complete guide for amateur
astronomers who want to obtain detailed narrowband images of the
Sun using a digital spectroheliograph (SHG). The SHG allows the
safe imaging of the Sun without the expense of commercial ‘etalon’
solar filters. As the supporting software continues to be refined,
the use of the digital spectroheliograph will become more and more
mainstream and has the potential to replace the expensive solar
filters currently in use. The early chapters briefly explain
the concept of the SHG and how it can produce an image from the
solar spectrum. A comparison of the currently available narrow band
solar filters is followed by a detailed analysis of the critical
design, construction and assembly features of the SHG. The design
and optimum layout of the instrument is discussed to allow
evaluation of performance. This information explains how
to assemble a fully functional SHG using readily available
components. The software required to process the images is
explained and step by step examples provided, with
various digital instruments around the world highlighted based
on input from many experienced amateurs who have shared their
experience in building and using their spectroheliographs. The
final chapters provide a historical overview of the traditional
spectroheliograph and the later spectrohelioscope, from the initial
G.E.Hale and Deslandres concepts of the 1890’s through to the later
work by Veio and others. The construction and performance of
various instruments is covered in detail, and provides a unique
opportunity to record and appreciate the groundbreaking researches
carried out by amateurs in the 20th century. This is an
absolutely up to date book which fully addresses the watershed,
game changing influence of the digital imaging revolution on the
traditional spectroheliograph.