Amateur spectroscopy with the Star Analyser 100

Guest Speaker

Thursday, 2nd November 2023 (19:45 - 22:00)

Venue: swmcmeet

Amateur spectroscopy has undergone a fascinating revolution with the advent of tools like the Star Analyser 100. This compact and affordable diffraction grating has opened up a whole new world for amateur astronomers, allowing them to explore the science of spectroscopy from the comfort of their own backyard.

The Star Analyser 100 is a specially designed diffraction grating that can be easily attached to the front of a telescope or camera lens. It works by dispersing incoming light into its constituent wavelengths, creating a spectrum that reveals valuable information about celestial objects. This simple yet powerful tool enables amateur astronomers to observe and analyze the unique signatures of stars, galaxies, nebulae, and other astronomical objects.

One of the key benefits of the Star Analyser 100 is its user-friendly nature. 

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Speaker: Mick Nicholls

I got into astronomy in 1976 after seeing a Noctilucent cloud in Scotland. I am interested in imaging and observing all-night sky objects but after seeing an episode of the sky at night in the early to mid-1980s in which Patrick Moore demonstrated a safe method to observe the Sunspots with projection I was hooked on solar astronomy. I have currently done over 2,000 visual observations of the Sun each one with a drawing in log books (not bad with the UK weather). I have done nearly 9,000 visual observations altogether once again each one with a drawing in log books I observe the Sun in all wavelengths with various pieces of solar equipment which you will see this evening, my favorite being H-Alpha it being the most dynamic. I joined the MSAS around  1996 and became a BAA member in around 2010. My astronomy and astrophotography achievements are many including An image on the sky at night magazine cover disc (when it had one) Assisting NOAA in 2012 with a flare that they overlooked In 2016 getting an image in the Vatican observatory calendar (incidentally the flare image from 2012 when I assisted NOAA) Had 15 images published in the BAA journal Had 10 BAA picture of the week Had over 70 images published in the BAA solar section newsletter Had a Noctilucent cloud image of the front cover of the BAA journal Had 3 AAPOD 2 images Had 16 solar activity picture of the day images Had a solar image used by Meade to advertise the PST Matt Penn solar scientist at the McMath solar telescope (when it was in operation) ask to use one of my images in a Solar talk for his students Prof Philippa Browning astrophysicist ask to use my images in her solar talks Won MSAS’s imaging competition 3 times

Learn more about Mick Nicholls