Comparison of spectra of 12V Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Posted by Andrew Thornett

The 12V Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs I have purchased come in two flavours – 2700K and 6400K (later is daylight). Tonight, I took spectra of both types using my CCDSPEC spectrometer to determine whether the peaks shown on the spectra were the same. It turns out that they are and hence can be readily used for calibration purposes on my spectrometers. The main difference between the two is the intensity of the peaks with the 2700K light bulb having much lower intensities than the 6400K light bulbs.

Information on different colour temperatures of compact fluorescent bulbs can be found at http://www.lamptech.co.uk/Documents/FL%20Colours.htm

Andy

2700K spectrum:

6400K spectrum:

Theta Persei.

Posted by Nick Cox

23rd of October and a huge Moon rising . Mars was wobbling , but both Uranus and Neptune gave green and blue coloured discs. Clusters were bleached out , its worth looking at M34 , looking like a skewed NGC 457.

Continuing with the exploration of Perseus, I revisited Theta Persei. A straight on view of the very delicate and delightful companion, just away from the main star. Then out to just under four times distant and the third star of this multiple magic.

I continued with Perseus , the sky was super stable and amazingly transparent. There was no difficulty picking out the shape of M76. There’s plenty action even in a low and full moon.Dew set in with falling temperature , time to click on dew heaters well before observing.

Looking out this morning , Capella was right overhead, Gemini high in the north and the welcome sight of Procyon swinging towards a very bright Sirius and Orion. Just a stunning winter view .

I’d venture that Σ162 is the finest triple here. Being on the boundary , it also appears in details for Andromeda.

Theta is easily spotted by eye, just follow up from M34 on this chart ,

Re-analysis using RSPEC Software of Vega spectrum from 4/8/2018

Posted by Andrew Thornett

This is a re-analysis using RSPEC software of the Vega spectrum I took 4/8/2018 using my Sky Watcher Equinox 80mm Pro telescope & CCDSPEC spectroscope, hand guided on Manfrotto mount.

Andy

CCDSPEC spectrum of Vega 4/8/2018

I have now taken out a trial subscription to RSPEC amateur astronomy spectroscopy software https://www.rspec-astro.com/

The following is the original spectrum taken using Nebulosity 6 software:

This is an x-projection of the above from PCSpectra software supplied with the CCDSPEC spectrometer:

The following screenshot shows the above spectrum loaded and displayed in RSPEC software (below):

In the above diagram, I calibrated the x-axis using a Vega spectrum from the internet, using two points. I have created the following Vega spectrum for calibration purposes based on this internet data. Note that I have annotated the lines using Angstroms as RSPEC uses Angstroms on its x-axis and it all gets rather confusing if one graph is in Angstroms and the other in nanometres as it is not obvious that the difference in scale exists on the x-axis and the graphs do not line up.

RSPEC allows reference spectra to be compared to user spectra. Here, I have loaded up a reference spectrum in blue at the same time as my own Vega spectrum in red (below):

Having calibrated my spectrum against two lines on the reference spectrum I created above from other internet resources, there is excellent correlation between the lines on my spectrum and the RSPEC reference spectrum (no – I did not use the RSPEC spectrum to create my calibration Vega spectrum!)

Another interesting feature in RSPEC is to use it to identify elemental lines – using this feature on my spectrum:

I think that the closest elemental match to the lines seen in my graph is found when both Star Type A is ticked (Vega is A0V) and also Hydrogen Balmer series:

VideoPad

Posted by Alan Rodgers

Thanks to Ed for bringing VideoPad to our attention at begginners’ RAG group. His super demonstration showed how useful it was. It was clear that this is a good replacement for the much lamented MovieMaker. I went home and tried out the free version. As ever with video software it is a bit tricky, especially when trying to make changes to something you have already done. I went back and inserted a title and then had to shuffle the clips to fill in the gap. Still I was delighted to be able to crop the clips and make a compilation.

I’m afraid my first attempt is not astronomical. Still you might want to see how it turned out. It is at – https://www.flickr.com/photos/belgrave-lakes/42912750590/in/datetaken-public/ . I now know that using the typewriter effect for the title is not good, as it makes for a blank preview image. To hook people in I would have been better with no title at all. Still it did what I wanted to.

So far I’ve not been nagged about upgrading to the paid version, but I am so pleased with it that I think I will do that eventually. I’m looking forward to trying out other features.

Thanks again to Ed for suggesting this software. I look forward to reading anybody else’s comments and tips when they have had a chance to try it out. I’ll let you know when I’ve done something a little more RAG orientated 🙂

Angella

The Compact Fluorescent Bulb Spectrum as a standard calibration spectrum for low resolution spectrometers in astronomy, and comparisons with alternative calibration light standards

Posted by Andrew Thornett

I have annotated the following compact fluorescent light spectrum with the wavelengths of the main peaks, in order to make the diagram most useful for spectrometer calibration purposes. I am indebted to Wikipedia for the source information on which this graph is based.

Andy

The above is useful for calibrating my CCDSPEC and Science Surplus DIY Spectrometers and other similar spectrometers.

The process involves me taking a spectrum and then identifying the lines on it and calibrating the spectrometer using the process in the relevant software package. This is a spectrum from the Science Surplus DIY Spectrometer of a Compact Fluorescent Light:

The compact fluorescent spectrum can be used to help identify lines on other calibration lights, such as one made from a RELCO neon fluorescent bulb starter:

Further enhancement of calibration can be achieved using alternative calibration standards such as the solar spectrum – here I have annotated that spectrum with the Fraunhofer elemental lines:

Another alternative to calibration standard lights is to use an LED light – this one provides lines in red, green and blue, and is from on a variable colour strip light I purchased from ebay:

Compare the above to a commercially sold white LED calibration light:

 

Three LED lamp calibration light

Posted by Andrew Thornett

I purchased the following multi-coloured LED strip light from ebay – Ed at the last RAG meeting asked whether coloured LEDs could be used as a calibration light for spectrometry – it seemed like a good idea! This one comes with a neat little remote control to allow it to be placed some distance away (ideal for focusing a telescope on it and then turning on and off and changing colours).

Andy

I made a calibration light out of the strip light above and a piece of Perspex made to diffuse light (off ebay designed for light boxes). I could then take spectra using my CCDSPEC spectrometer:

The first three spectra show that red, green, and blue are all very pure colours from the relevant LEDs in the strip:

Spectrum of LED strip light – green LED (below):

Spectrum of LED strip light – red LED (below):

Spectrum of LED strip light – blue LED (below):

Producing multiple lines on a single spectrum:

The above graphs demonstrate that the LEDs individually produce pure colours. However, for calibration purposes, it is useful to be able to have multiple lines on a single spectrum. This is where this particular colour-changing LED strip is useful – the strip uses three different coloured LEDs as above but allows you to select various combinations of LEDs to produce variety of “colours” – each of this is a mixture of LEDs switched on together in varying amounts.

The following are three examples of combinations – there are a total of 16 colours available (16 combinations):

Spectra from the three examples of colour combinations:

X-projections from spectra from the three examples of colour combinations:

White colour on the LED strip:

Probably the most useful combination is when all three LEDs are turned on together “white” – donated by a convenient “W” button. The spectrum from this produces three convenient peaks for calibration (below):

 

Comparing spectra from compact fluorescent lights in lounge, portable 230V desk lamp and portable 12V calibration light

Posted by Andrew Thornett

In previous posts, I have discussed the various calibration lights I have tried for my spectrometers. Each time I come back ultimately to fluorescent lights – these have typical spectra and easy to identify peaks and are ideal for relatively low resolution spectrometers such as my CCDSPEC and Science Surplus DIY Spectrometers.

They are available as long bulbs or more compact portable bulbs called Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL). The spectra are similar.

Initially I used a compact fluorescent light in my study/lounge but then realised I could do with a portable arrangement to take outside into the field. I obtained a simple desk lamp and used 230V CFL bulbs powered using an inverter on my leisure battery. This is not the safest method – 230V can cause harm – but then I found a caravan online shop selling off its last 12V CFL bulbs. I did not realise these were sold in 12V varieties so I have obtained a number of these and built myself a lamp holder than plugs into a 12V cigar-type lighter plug socket so it can be powered from any standard 12V telescope power supply.

In today’s post, I am comparing the spectra on the three sources of CFL bulbs – the ceiling lights in my lounge, 240V desk lamp and homemade 12V mobile calibration system. The question I need to answer is whether all three produce similar spectra – in which case the 12V homemade setup will be my preferred calibration light as it is mobile and safe.

I used my CCDSPEC spectrometer for today’s tests.

Andy

Taking spectrum from 240V desk lamp CFL arrangement (below):

 

Taking spectrum from 12V desk lamp CFL arrangement (below):

  

Comparing the three spectra:

Spectrum from 240V CFL ceiling light (below):

Spectrum from 240V CFL desk lamp (below):

Spectrum from 12V CFL homemade lamp (below – here I have altered the exposure to give longer and shorter exposures to show that this made minimal difference to the spectrum as long as it did not reach maximum (16000 on intensity at which point peaks broadened and became less useful for calibration as exact wavelengths difficult to read from graph)):

 

To assist in comparison between the three spectra, I have repeated them below but this time one after the other:

It is amazing how similar these bulbs are – from different manufacturers but still providing same peaks with slight differences only in intensity. It shows that the similar chemical makeup of their constituent gases and that the emission spectra of those gases do not vary.

My conclusion – any of these bulbs can be used for calibration of my spectroscopes and hence I can happily use the 12V outside in the field.