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Imaging Sunlight Using a Digital Spectroheliograph

  • Book
  • © 2016

Overview

Authors:
  1. Ken M. Harrison

    1. ., ., St Leonards, Australia

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  • Provides information about constructing a digital spectroheliograph that allows amateur astronomers to safely image the Sun
  • Guides users through the ins and outs of this new, more affordable, reliable and customizable alternative to etalon-based solar telescopes
  • Explains at length the available software for using a digital spectroheliograph

Part of the book series: The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series (PATRICKMOORE)

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Table of contents (12 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvi
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  2. Brief History of Solar Observations

    • Ken M. Harrison
    Pages 1-7

  3. Safe Filters for Solar Imaging

    • Ken M. Harrison
    Pages 9-18

  4. The Sun and Its Atmosphere

    • Ken M. Harrison
    Pages 19-54

  5. Solar Observations Using Spectroscopes

    • Ken M. Harrison
    Pages 55-70

  6. The Solar Spectrum

    • Ken M. Harrison
    Pages 71-84

  7. Digital Spectroheliograph Design Basics

    • Ken M. Harrison
    Pages 85-127

  8. Construction of a Digital SHG: Two Examples

    • Ken M. Harrison
    Pages 129-143

  9. SHG Processing Software

    • Ken M. Harrison
    Pages 145-170

  10. Amateur Digital SHG Instruments

    • Ken M. Harrison
    Pages 171-217

  11. SHG Images and Science Achievements

    • Ken M. Harrison
    Pages 219-226

  12. The Spectrohelioscope (SHS)

    • Ken M. Harrison
    Pages 227-246

  13. Future Solar Imaging Developments

    • Ken M. Harrison
    Pages 247-252

  14. Back Matter

    Pages 253-278
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Keywords

About this book

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.

Reviews

“This book should be required reading for anyone thinking of embarking on the construction of one of these instruments, and the first half makes a good primer for anyone embarking on less-sophisticated solar observation.” (Mike Rushton, The Observatory, Vol. 137 (1260), October, 2017)


“This book, which is definitely aimed at experienced astronomy buffs, provides an argument for an alternative way to select out colors–something that has become far more practical with the advent of digital cameras. … There is a significant amount of theory and history presented, most of which can be followed by individuals familiar with calculus-based university physics. … Summing Up: Recommended. Professionals and practitioners only.” (D. J. Van Domelen, Choice, Vol. 54 (3), November, 2016)

Authors and Affiliations

  • ., ., St Leonards, Australia

    Ken M. Harrison

About the author

An experienced amateur astronomer, Ken Harrison was born in Scotland where he trained as a mechanical engineer.  He has been designing and building telescopes since the early 1960’s and has built a series of spectroscopes for use on medium-sized amateur telescopes.  He was Section Director of the Astronomical Society of Victoria, Australia Astrophotographic Section for ten years and past president of the Society.   Ken’s university thesis (and his first publication) was Design and Construction of the Isaac Newton 98-inch Telescope (Strathclyde University, 1970); since then he has published articles on optical design including Blink Comparison,  (BAA Journal Vol 87, p 94) and Method of Radially Supporting Large Mirrors (Vol 87, p 154).  He has made many contributions to the Astronomical Society of Victoria newsletter and was for three years the Editor of the ‘N’Daba’ newsletter of the Natal Centre, Astronomical Society of Southern Africa. He is the author of "Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs" (Springer, 2011) and "Grating Spectroscopes and How to Use Them" (Springer, 2012).

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