AM_FlatFieldIlluminator Project

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Thu, 12/17/2020 - 05:57

Hi ,

I was wondering if any progress has been made on this project.

Personally i am in need of a flat fielding system and the idea of illuminating from the OTA is very appealing. I the past i have built flat field "boxes" using LEDs and diffusing the light thru white Acrylic. Fine for portable systems but not so good for implementing an automated system in an observatory.

I will be persuing these ideas and install a system in my own observatory in the near future.

I will be using White expanded polystyrene as the "screen".

Does anyone have any recomendations for the type of LEDs to use?

Regards,

Bruce

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Flatfield Project

I would love to see a recommendation for a specific ratio and makes* of LEDs to use to cover BVRI plus a detailed wiring diagram and power requirements that could be controlled remotely (on-off might be fine).

The alternative is to talk with light panel suppliers to include LEDs that would cover the entire BVRI spectrum and could provide panels similar to Spike-a-Flat. The problem is whether a company would be willing to make such panels for such a specialized and tiny market at a reasonable cost. 

Ed

*from my own reading, the kinds of LEDs to include requires someone who understands LEDs and their spectral coverage to provide a recommendation.

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Ray

 

Hi Ed

Light-Emitting Diodes: A Primer | light sources | Photonics Handbook | Photonics Buyers' Guide

White LEDs use UV on phosphers and are fairly uneven.

Light-emitting diode - Wikipedia

As  for power, I would series them to your power supply voltage, then add parallel branches until you get enough light. That saves dumping power into current-limiting resistors. All diodes have current specs, so just design around that current. Once you pick a diode and have a power supply in hand, I can help.

Ray

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
I would also suspect if the

I would also suspect if the leds are used to project onto a "white" panel, the material used for the panel will have a significant effect on the wavelength of light reflecting from that surface?

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Would Incandescent Bulbs be Needed for Projection Flats?

Hello! For my LED light box, I had to add incandescent bulbs (Christmas tree rice bulb string worked great) in order to cover I filter range. I could not find any I-band LEDs that cover the appropriate range.

    Would incandescent be needed as well for projection? Best regards.

Mike