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DSLR Spectroscopy

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Posted by phxjeff on June 29, 2009 - 3:54pm

While there has been some discussion about using a DSLR camera for photometry, and there will be a Workshop devoted to it, those with DSLR cameras may also find using them for spectroscopy an interesting and rewarding challenge.

During the first Workshop in Chicago, part of the Workshop will be devoted to low resolution spectroscopy using a DSLR camera with a Star Analyser spectrograph ($200). As with DSLR photometry, no modifications are needed for the camera, save a means of attaching the Star Analyser (easy). You can even do it on a tripod without a telescope.

Can you do serious spectroscopy with this arrangement? Absolutely! It's low resolution, but will show the whole visible spectrum. This will be important for epsilon Aurigae because different parts of the spectrum may be changing during the eclipse. With high resolution spectroscopy, only small areas of the spectrum can be examined at a time and these changes may be missed. By catching them with low resolution spectroscopy, the high resolution spectroscopy can then zero in and study the changes in detail. You may have a chance to share important discoveries.

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some early spectroscopic results
By robin_astro on July 3, 2009 - 7:23am

Greetings to all who are planning to attend the workshop. I am currently monitoring Epsilon Aurigae spectroscopically and posting spectra here http://www.threehillsobservatory.co.uk/astro/spectra_40.htmHigh resolution spectroscopy in the Infra-Red is already showing signs of the eclipsing object.CheersRobin

Early Spectrometry
By phxjeff on July 3, 2009 - 1:20pm

Thanks Robin. Very interesting. It will be a few more weeks before epsilon Aurigae will be high enough in the pre-dawn sky for me to start some observations.

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