Cepheid Periods

The following images show our progress in obtaining a spectrum. Each image from the Imaging CCD is paired with the correlating image from the Tracking CCD. Our final goal is to obtain a crisp spectra with the source centered on the slit in the tracking CCD.

Cepheid Periods

An image of a star on the tracking CCD. The slit can be seen running vertically in the center of the image.

Cepheid Periods

An image captured using the Imaging CCD. Note this looks nothing like a spectra.

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In this image the source was centered on the slit.

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

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The following is a progression of images captured by the spectrometer in conjunction with the sources position on the Tracking CCD. Note the change in quality of the spectrum due to the position of the source.

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

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The next sequence of images shows spectra of light passed through different color filters.

Cepheid Periods

No Filter.

Cepheid Periods

Blue Filter.

Cepheid Periods

Green Filter.

Cepheid Periods

Red Filter.

Cepheid Periods

Yellow Filter.

These are not actually spectra gathered off of the diffraction reflector. They are instead patterns of diffuse light from within the spectrometer housing. It may look like the filters are creating different spectra, and that would be almost correct. The filters are blocking certain wavelengths from even entering the spectrometer thus there is no diffuse light of those wavelengths.

Cepheid Periods

Position of source for filtered spectra.

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The following images were captured using a Helium-Neon Laser.

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

Cepheid Periods

We finally have something that looks like a spectrum of an actual star. While this is not our ultimate goal, it is a step in the right direction. Now we must attach the spectrometer to the telescope and attempt to obtain a true spectra from a real star. If we can do this, then we will have corrected the problems that were in the spectrometer and can use it in scientific work.

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