SBIG spectrographs

Anyone have experience with using an SBIG spectrograph for taking spectra of
asteroids? I'm concerned with tracking issues since the asteroids are moving
and the SBIG unit would probably not work in its tracking mode.

George N

George Normandin wrote:

Anyone have experience with using an SBIG spectrograph for taking spectra of
asteroids? I'm concerned with tracking issues since the asteroids are moving
and the SBIG unit would probably not work in its tracking mode.

George N

You might want to ask Robin Leadbetter, Maurice Gavin, or at the
Yahoo spectroscopy group. I have seen a few asteroid spectra
(amateur) but so rare I cant even remember where. Google turns
up a few things but they are mostly numerical data sets - nothing
visual? With modern tracking it should be a straightforward task
certainly easier than stalking a good meteor spectrum.
Jerry

"jerry warner" wrote
George Normandin wrote:

Anyone have experience with using an SBIG spectrograph for taking spectra
of
asteroids? .......

You might want to ask Robin Leadbetter, Maurice Gavin, or at the
Yahoo spectroscopy group. I have seen a few asteroid spectra
(amateur) but so rare I cant even remember where. Google turns
up a few things but they are mostly numerical data sets - nothing
visual? With modern tracking it should be a straightforward task
certainly easier than stalking a good meteor spectrum.

Thanks for the tips Jerry! I'll check the Yahoo group out.

George N

The 'big' SBIG spectrograph images the slit onto the guide chip. So you
get to position the object of interest directly on the entrance slit by
observing what happens with the guide chip. Then you can continue
tracking with the guide chip to maintain the object's position on the
slit. It's described at the SBIG website in one of their application
notes. I've seen people use it to look at stars, planets, and comets,
but there's no reason you couldn't get data from asteroids.

The 'small' SBIG spectrograph does not allow you to use the guide chip
for anything.

Eric.

jerry warner wrote:

George Normandin wrote:

Anyone have experience with using an SBIG spectrograph for taking spectra of
asteroids? I'm concerned with tracking issues since the asteroids are moving
and the SBIG unit would probably not work in its tracking mode.

George N

You might want to ask Robin Leadbetter, Maurice Gavin, or at the
Yahoo spectroscopy group. I have seen a few asteroid spectra
(amateur) but so rare I cant even remember where. Google turns
up a few things but they are mostly numerical data sets - nothing
visual? With modern tracking it should be a straightforward task
certainly easier than stalking a good meteor spectrum.
Jerry

several here look interesting

http://www.oceanoptics.com/products/spectrometers.asp


"George Normandin" wrote in message
...
Anyone have experience with using an SBIG spectrograph for taking spectra
of asteroids? I'm concerned with tracking issues since the asteroids are
moving and the SBIG unit would probably not work in its tracking mode.

George N

"Eric" wrote
....
The 'big' SBIG spectrograph images the slit onto the guide chip. So you
get to position the object of interest directly on the entrance slit by
observing what happens with the guide chip. Then you can continue tracking
with the guide chip to maintain the object's position on the slit. It's
described at the SBIG website in one of their application notes. I've seen
people use it to look at stars, planets, and comets, but there's no reason
you couldn't get data from asteroids.

The 'small' SBIG spectrograph does not allow you to use the guide chip for
anything.


Thanks Eric, that sounds like it's just what we need.

George N

"Richard Crisp" wrote

...
several here look interesting

http://www.oceanoptics.com/products/spectrometers.asp


Thanks Richard. I'll check these out. This instrument is for a friend's
Master's Thesis work, but I want to use the spectrograph for supernova work
after she get's it paid for!

George Normandin

Originally Posted by George Normandin

Anyone have experience with using an SBIG spectrograph for taking spectra of asteroids? I'm concerned with tracking issues since the asteroids are moving
and the SBIG unit would probably not work in its tracking mode. George N

It's relatively easy to record spectra of brighter asteroids [I've done it!] but beyond confirming they are illuminated by our sun [and carry its spectrum!] not much more is evident due to limited spectral resolution via amateur telescopes. Asteroids come under 'spectroscopy of solid materials' which are subtly superimposed onto the solar spectrum often in the near IR and IR. Suggest you read Chptrs 7 and 15 of Optical Astronomical Spectroscopy by Chris Kitchin - Inst of Physics Publishing ISBN 0 7503 0345 X which outlines the technique - and good luck.

Nytecam 51N 0.1W
www.astroman.fsnet.co.uk

"nytecam" wrote
...

George Normandin Wrote:
Anyone have experience with using an SBIG spectrograph for taking
spectra of asteroids? I'm concerned with tracking issues since the
asteroids are moving
and the SBIG unit would probably not work in its tracking mode. George
N

It's relatively easy to record spectra of brighter asteroids [I've done
it!] but beyond confirming they are illuminated by our sun [and carry
its spectrum!] not much more is evident due to limited spectral
resolution via amateur telescopes. Asteroids come under 'spectroscopy
of solid materials' which are subtly superimposed onto the solar
spectrum often in the near IR and IR. Suggest you read Chptrs 7 and 15
of Optical Astronomical Spectroscopy by Chris Kitchin - Inst of Physics
Publishing ISBN 0 7503 0345 X which outlines the technique - and good
luck.


OK....... but then the question is: will the SBIG spectrograph work with
enough resolution in the near IR, or will we need something else? My
concern, which was answered, was if the SBIG unit would track on a moving
target, and the answer is yes. I never thought of the spectral resolution
being a problem and just assumed that the thing would work in IR given the
high sensitivity of SBIG cameras to IR. The scope is a 20-inch F/8 RC Cass.
If the SBIG rig won't work we will have to try getting a better
spectrograph, possibly borrowing one from Cornell or Alfred Universities
(close by).

George Normandin

According to SBIG's website: 1A per pixel in the high resolution mode.
Wavelength range is 3800A to 7500A.

There's some methane lines around 6800A. Ammonia around 7900A - might
have to fiddle the grating angle to get that one. What are you looking for ?

Eric.


George Normandin wrote:
OK....... but then the question is: will the SBIG spectrograph work with
enough resolution in the near IR, or will we need something else? My
concern, which was answered, was if the SBIG unit would track on a moving
target, and the answer is yes. I never thought of the spectral resolution
being a problem and just assumed that the thing would work in IR given the
high sensitivity of SBIG cameras to IR. The scope is a 20-inch F/8 RC Cass.
If the SBIG rig won't work we will have to try getting a better
spectrograph, possibly borrowing one from Cornell or Alfred Universities
(close by).

George Normandin