Hello Dieter
Zitat:
What are your experiences with the alpy 600? Is it really useful or are there any problems with this module?
I was a beta tester for the ALPY so I got it at a good price. It complements my high resolution LHIRES III.
I find it works very well with no problems. It is a very simple fixed resolution instrument with no moving parts which is easy to use (good for beginners) and extremely stable. It is not so easy to adjust the focus but once it is adjusted you do not need to refocus all the time like the LHIRES or even take lamp spectra every night.
The chromatic correction is very good so the spectrum is sharp well into the UV, including the Ca H,K lines.
The calibration unit is expensive but it is nice to have if you operate remotely like I do.
The data reduction is also easy using ISIS software which has special functions for the ALPY to make the processing very automated.
My main use for it is classifying supernovae so I have modified it with a lower resolution grism. I can reach down to mag 17.5 with my 280mm C11. For example
http://www.threehillsobservatory.co.uk/ ... tra_46.htm
Since 2016 I have been using it to classify new supernovae and so far I have 9 classifications in my name. I measured the latest one tonight, even with the full moon
https://wis-tns.weizmann.ac.il/object/2017htb
I also sometimes use it with the standard grism (The BAA arranged a discount for members last year to promote spectroscopy in the UK so I now have two core modules and I can change resolution more easily). Here is an example at standard resolution from this week (A rare gravitational microlens event)
https://www.britastro.org/comment/3856#comment-3856
Cheers
Robin