Sun (Observations) - Revision history

Prucker: /* With the ASI1600MM PRO camera (this is a work done in progress) */

2026-07-14T12:18:15Z

With the ASI1600MM PRO camera (this is a work done in progress)

Prucker: /* With the ASI1600MM PRO camera (this is a work done in progress) */

2026-07-14T12:16:01Z

With the ASI1600MM PRO camera (this is a work done in progress)

Prucker: /* Eye observations */

2026-07-14T12:15:31Z

Eye observations

Prucker: /* With the ASI1600MM PRO camera (this is a work done in progress) */

2026-07-14T12:12:02Z

With the ASI1600MM PRO camera (this is a work done in progress)

Prucker: /* Setup using the Lunt LS60T Ha */

2026-07-14T12:09:05Z

Setup using the Lunt LS60T Ha

Prucker: /* Setup using the Lunt LS60T Ha */

2026-07-14T12:04:09Z

Setup using the Lunt LS60T Ha

Canal: /* With the ASI1600MM PRO camera (this is a work done in progress) */

2026-07-14T08:36:54Z

With the ASI1600MM PRO camera (this is a work done in progress)

Canal: /* Eye observations */

2026-07-13T17:45:09Z

Eye observations

Canal: /* Setup using the Lunt LS60T Ha */

2026-07-13T17:44:25Z

Setup using the Lunt LS60T Ha

Canal: /* Eye observations */

2026-07-13T17:42:36Z

Eye observations

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:18, 14 July 2026
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	'''This entry now needs to be completed with a bit of info about the program used for taking the images :)'''		'''This entry now needs to be completed with a bit of info about the program used for taking the images :)'''

−	For solar observations (similar to planetary observations), kstars is used to control the Mount (assuming the EQ6 Pro) and FireCapture for Lucky Imaging. On the observing notebook, in a terminal open kstars as usual and select the 'lucky imaging' profile, which should only contain the mount and camera simulator as devices. Once the mount is connected, start FireCapture in another terminal in the following way: on the observing notebook in the home directory you should find a directory named 'FireCapture_dir', containing several sub-directories named after the current software version. Navigate through the sub-folders into 'opt' and launch 'start.sh' (type ./start.sh) to start FireCapture. It is important to start kstars before FireCapture, otherwise FireCapture will not be able to connect to Indi.	+	For solar observations (similar to planetary observations), kstars is used to control the Mount (assuming the EQ6 Pro) and FireCapture for Lucky Imaging. On the observing notebook, in a terminal open kstars as usual and select the 'lucky imaging' profile, which should only contain the mount and camera simulator as devices. Once the mount is connected, start FireCapture in another terminal in the following way: on the observing notebook in the home directory you should find a directory named 'FireCapture_dir', containing several sub-directories named after the current software version. Navigate through the sub-folders into 'data/opt/' and launch 'start.sh' (type ./start.sh) to start FireCapture. It is important to start kstars before FireCapture, otherwise FireCapture will not be able to connect to Indi.

@@ Line 117: / Line 117: @@
 * T2 connector (We managed with the Nikon T2 connector)
 * Cables and electricity box (2 Usb cables and 2 power cables for the mount and the camera)
-* Laptop with '''kstars [https://kstars-docs.kde.org/en/]''' and '''FireCapture [https://www.firecapture.de/]''' available
+* Laptop with '''[https://kstars-docs.kde.org/en/ kstars]''' and '''[https://www.firecapture.de/ FireCapture]''' available
 To attach the camera to the telescope first take out the ocular adapter from the diagonal. What we found that worked is to attach the T2 to the diagonal and the M42 attachment between the T2 and the camera.

@@ Line 90: / Line 90: @@
 * LS60Ha telescope obviously
 * Eyepiece (8-21mm I believe) found inside the case of the telescope.
-* Tripod + EQ mount.
+* Tripod + EQ6 Pro mount.
-* "Black mount" (CELESTRON CGEM DX) as an alternative to the tripod.
+* "Black mount" (CELESTRON CGEM DX) and concrete pillar as an alternative to the tripod.
 * Weights and extensions for balancing.
 * Cables and electricity box for connecting to the mount.

@@ Line 117: / Line 117: @@
 * T2 connector (We managed with the Nikon T2 connector)
 * Cables and electricity box (2 Usb cables and 2 power cables for the mount and the camera)
-* Laptop with kstars and FireCapture available
+* Laptop with '''kstars [https://kstars-docs.kde.org/en/]''' and '''FireCapture [https://www.firecapture.de/]''' available
 To attach the camera to the telescope first take out the ocular adapter from the diagonal. What we found that worked is to attach the T2 to the diagonal and the M42 attachment between the T2 and the camera.

@@ Line 113: / Line 113: @@
 * ASI1600MM PRO camera
 * LS60T Ha telescope
-* Mount or tripod
+* Mount and/or tripod
 * M42 connector
 * T2 connector (We managed with the Nikon T2 connector)
-* Cables and electricity box
+* Cables and electricity box (2 Usb cables and 2 power cables for the mount and the camera)
-* Laptop with kstars and FireCapture
+* Laptop with kstars and FireCapture available
 To attach the camera to the telescope first take out the ocular adapter from the diagonal. What we found that worked is to attach the T2 to the diagonal and the M42 attachment between the T2 and the camera.
@@ Line 127: / Line 127: @@
 '''This entry now needs to be completed with a bit of info about the program used for taking the images :)'''
-For solar observations (similar to planetary observations), kstars is used to control the Mount and FireCapture for Lucky Imaging. On the observing notebook, in a terminal open kstars as usual and select the 'lucky imaging' profile, which should only contain the mount and camera simulator. Once the mount is connected, start FireCapture in another terminal the following way: on the observing notebook in the home directory you should find a directory named 'FireCapture_dir', containing several sub-directories named after the current software version. Navigate through the sub-folders into 'opt' and launch 'start.sh' (type ./start.sh) to start FireCapture. It is important to start kstars before FireCapture, otherwise FireCapture will not be able to connect to Indi.
+For solar observations (similar to planetary observations), kstars is used to control the Mount (assuming the EQ6 Pro) and FireCapture for Lucky Imaging. On the observing notebook, in a terminal open kstars as usual and select the 'lucky imaging' profile, which should only contain the mount and camera simulator as devices. Once the mount is connected, start FireCapture in another terminal in the following way: on the observing notebook in the home directory you should find a directory named 'FireCapture_dir', containing several sub-directories named after the current software version. Navigate through the sub-folders into 'opt' and launch 'start.sh' (type ./start.sh) to start FireCapture. It is important to start kstars before FireCapture, otherwise FireCapture will not be able to connect to Indi.

@@ Line 119: / Line 119: @@
 * Laptop with ... program
-To attach the camera to the telescope first take out the ocular attachment. What we found that worked is to attach the T2 to the diagonal and the M42 attachment between the T2 and directly to the camera.
+To attach the camera to the telescope first take out the ocular adapter from the diagonal. What we found that worked is to attach the T2 to the diagonal and the M42 attachment between the T2 and the camera.
-I will assume you have read the previous part and balanced and aligned the telescope + camera setup (in this case for minor variations in the alignment use the camera view instead of your eye).
+I will assume you have read the previous part and have balanced and aligned the telescope + camera setup (in this case for minor adjustments in the alignment use the camera view instead of your eye).
 For focusing, we achieved focus having the diagonal taken out roughly 2 cm from the innermost position and starting with the focus at the middle point. From there you can play around with the screws until you achieve a sharp edge of the Sun.
 '''This entry now needs to be completed with a bit of info about the program used for taking the images :)'''

@@ Line 100: / Line 100: @@
 To align, chose the '''Solar System Align''' option. Then, the SELECT OBJECT message will appear on the top row of the control. Use the up and down scroll keys to select the daytime object: choose Sun and press ENTER. Use the direction arrow buttons to carefully center the object in the finderscope (the sun light circle should be roughly on the upper right of the finder). Press ENTER once centered. Finally, center the Sun in the eyepiece and press ALIGN. Detailed information can be found in the '''mount [https://www.fhsu.edu/physics/documents/CGEM-DX-Instruction-Manual.pdf manual]'''.
-Once the alignment is completed we can focus. To be able to focus the telescope you have to pull out the focusing length by half. You will notice the diagonal tube is specially long. That is because you have to attach it pulling it out roughly 3.5 cm from it's innermost position. Once you have this setup you can start looking through the ocular and use the wheels to adjust the focusing position until the Sun looks like a sharp circle.
+Once the alignment is completed we can focus. To be able to focus the telescope you have to pull out the focusing length by half. You will notice the diagonal tube is especially long. That is because you have to attach it pulling it out roughly 3.5 cm from it's innermost position. Once you have this setup you can start looking through the ocular and use the wheels to adjust the focusing position until the Sun looks like a sharp circle.
 Once the Sun is sharp, you can start playing around with the lateral screw, which changes the pressure of the filter, and change it until you are able to discern the different substructures of the Sun (rough surface, filaments, light spots, black spots, flares). You can find more information about the telescope and focusing setup in the '''telescope [https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0615/8273/7521/files/LS60THaPT_Solar_Telescope_Manual_vMAY-2016.pdf?v=1748274315 manual]'''

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 If you chose to use the "black mount", congratulations, you chose easy setup difficulty! The mount can be put up on top of the pillar next to the barbecue place. The screws are put in a way that the mount is already polar aligned once put correctly. Attach the telescope with the eyepiece. For balancing with the CGEM, a small extension (also used in the labs) is enough for the telescope + ocular.
-To align, chose the '''Solar System Align''' option. Then, the SELECT OBJECT message will appear on the top row of the control. Use the up and down scroll keys to select the daytime object: choose Sun and press ENTER. Use the direction arrow buttons to carefully center the object in the finderscope. Press ENTER once centered. Finally, center the Sun in the eyepiece and press ALIGN. Detailed information can be found in the '''mount [https://www.fhsu.edu/physics/documents/CGEM-DX-Instruction-Manual.pdf manual]'''.
+To align, chose the '''Solar System Align''' option. Then, the SELECT OBJECT message will appear on the top row of the control. Use the up and down scroll keys to select the daytime object: choose Sun and press ENTER. Use the direction arrow buttons to carefully center the object in the finderscope (the sun light circle should be roughly on the upper right of the finder). Press ENTER once centered. Finally, center the Sun in the eyepiece and press ALIGN. Detailed information can be found in the '''mount [https://www.fhsu.edu/physics/documents/CGEM-DX-Instruction-Manual.pdf manual]'''.
 Once the alignment is completed we can focus. To be able to focus the telescope you have to pull out the focusing length by half. You will notice the diagonal tube is specially long. That is because you have to attach it pulling it out roughly 3.5 cm from it's innermost position. Once you have this setup you can start looking through the ocular and use the wheels to adjust the focusing position until the Sun looks like a sharp circle.