SIRIUS OBSERVATORY SPECTROHELIOSCOPE

OVERVIEW:
Details of operation follow pictures.

I didn't know what a spectrohelioscope was, but I knew I wanted to view solar prominences, as well as details such as sunspots on the disk. I tried various avenues, and decided after doing research that the spectrohelioscope was the way to go. I had done several telescope restorations, and decided that although I do embrace new technology, I like the "old stuff" the best. Most of the literature I found was from the 30's or so, until I found a reference to Fred Veio's book. I sent off and got his first book, and spoke with him about my hopes to build one. He very graciously offered plans, details, and ideas. I wasn't sure what size or type I would make.
Then I happened to get a most unusual item -- a 10" Gaertner coelostat from the 30's. It was missing several things, but the basics were there. I knew then that my spectrohelioscope would be a permanent one, and a large one at that! I decided to make the Hale type, and my quest for parts was on. I started looking and found a Perkin-Elmer 6" f50 lens, then a pair of matched 6" f27.5 mirrors.

(cont.)
A Bausch & Lomb 4" square grating on a 6" flat followed, and I was well on my way. I tried several methods of making slits, and ended up making several that didn't work very well, and a few that work fine.
One of the problems I ran into was just how to set up the coelostat. It had originally been used on a roof, which meant that it sent the reflected sunlight downward, but it just didn't seem feasible for my facility. I had to make some modifications to use it horizontally, and in the process had to do a lot of math (boy was I rusty) to find out how far in front of the primary mirror to put the secondary pier. Some of it was trial and error placement. I had to level the secondary pier with the slits and mirrors, so I ended up buying an electronic water level, as a lot of my work on this project was done alone. For part of the pier placement, I had the system temporarily mounted on two 10" I-beams. I cut a small hole in the wall where the light path would be.

(cont.)
Then I found the secondary pier was about 2" too short. I had it adjusted all the way to the top of it's travel, so I tipped it to one side and placed a 2x4 under it. I tipped it to the other side, but this time it reacted by falling on me, striking my head and trapping me between the heavy metal parts. It weighs a couple hundred pounds, and it had traveled a couple feet to gain momentum, so it REALLY HURT! I had two knots on my head immediately. Luckily I didn't black out, but there were thoughts of blacking out, concussions, fractures, hemorrhages, etc. I bled a lot, too. (I did seek medical advice.)
This was the day before I was to leave for California, and I live close to St. Louis, MO. I'm not wild about flying, but luckily the injury didn't bother me any except that it hurt lying my head on a pillow.

Some items have a page explaining them -- if so, there will be a link below the picture.

Click any thumbnail for larger picture. Picture will open in a new window.
Then close the picture; no need to use your browser back button.
NOTE: Larger images will take a little time. Please be patient!

Coelostat Overall coelostat	Coelostat secondary pier. Can be set for horizontal or vertical use.	Coelostat main mirror Note 15" 240 tooth worm drive	Coelostat planetary gear drive system for fast/slow tracking
6" F50 Perkin-Elmer lens, parafocal for C & K lines (H-ľ & violet calcium) This is the primary lens for the spectrohelioscope. It makes a solar image approximately 2-3/4" diameter.	6" Perkin-Elmer lens mount and drive system. Large motor takes lens out of light path; small motor is for focus	Cage assembly.	One set of Anderson Prisms
6" F27.5 matched mirrors- note both mirrors are on a base which can be moved for focus. Far mirror can be moved individually for precise focus.	6" F27.5 matched mirrors mount detail -- One mirror can be individually moved if necessary for precise focus	$diffraction grating mounting3.jpg (13795 bytes)$ Grating mount - note slides, with motor, so it can be moved for focusing.	$diffraction grating mounting 2.jpg (9573 bytes)$ Grating detail -- note grating can be rotated. Also note grating points downward, to help keep dust from getting on surface. Plastic box is kept closed when not in use. (This small grating is used to align optic train -- Bausch & Lomb 4" square grating on 6" flat will be used in operation.)

The 10" (primary) flat on the outdoor coelostat reflects sunlight (parallel) light to the second coelostat flat. This reflected (still parallel) light is sent horizontally to the 6" F50 lens. The light then travels 25 feet to form an image on the first slit. Just before it hits the slit, though, it goes through a rotating square prism. One of the 6" F27.5 mirrors is focused on the back side of the first slit. It takes the image and turns it back into parallel light, reflecting it on the 4" grating. The grating reflects whatever wavelength you want to look at, which is accomplished by moving it up or down. The second mirror is focused on the grating, and takes the parallel light and turns it back into an image, reflecting it to the back of the second slit. On the front side of this slit is the second square rotating prism, then an eyepiece which is focused on the slit.

Sunlight is divided into many different wavelengths by the diffraction grating. By moving the grating, you can see whatever wavelength you want to view in the eyepiece. The rotating prisms simply build up an image, much like television camera makes a "picture" by scanning several hundred lines, one at a time, then projecting them in sequence on your screen. This happens so rapidly that your eyes make it seem like you are looking at one picture. The slits are only opened a thousandth of an inch or so, so you would see a very tiny slice of the sun at one time were it not for the rotating prisms.