Dave Groski's Solar Page
david dot m dot groski at usa dot dupont dot com
(see also Spectrohelioscope.NET)
DISCLAIMER : NOTE! Viewing the sun can be extremely dangerous! The information provided here is
meant only as a description of what one or two people have done. The reader accepts all
responsibility and liability associated with the use of any information provided here, as it is
possible that important precautionary information may be left out. Neither Dave nor Matt nor anyone
associated with them is responsible for damage resulting from using the information and ideas herein!
A quick note on units and usage ...
Keep in mind that the promscope needs a filter with a bandwidth of
10 Angstroms or 1 nanometer. A nanometer (abbreviated "nm") is
1x10^-9 meters. An Angstrom (abbreviated "A") is 1x10^-10 meters.
So an Angstrom is a 1/10th of a nanometer, i.e. quite a bit smaller.
The point is that one cannot use a 10nm (100 Angstrom) filter sold
by a number of suppliers. You need one with a bandwidth of 30 A (3 nm)
or less to see the prominences.
Also note the difference between the 0.8 system (H-alpha)
and the promscope (coronagraph). The promscope will block
the disk of the Sun with an occulting disk (which allows prominences
to be viewed along the limb) while the 0.8A system allows the disk of
the Sun *and* the area around the Sun to be viewed. The 0.8 scope
shows H-alpha surface features, like filaments, and flares, along with
prominences along the limb.
Solar Prominence 'Scope
H-Alpha 'Scope
Calcium-K 'Scope
Solar Spectroscope
White-light Newtonian
Other links :
Matt Considine's webpage
Surplus Shed
Bob Johnson's eBay website
Maier website
(note: 10 Angstrom filter is NOT listed in Maier catalog and so one
needs to contact him.)
Copyright 2004-2005 Dave Groski. All rights reserved.