Tip/Trick Making a Celestron Filter work in a 2" Filter Drawer - Celestron RASA 8

Tip/Trick Making a Celestron Filter work in a 2" Filter Drawer
Recently I discovered my Celestron H-alpha, H-beta, Oxygen 3 filter was slightly larger than a 2" Starizona filter slider. The Celestron filter was intended to fit into the RASA 8 telescope. A viewer told me how to get the filter and the filter slider to work together. Check out this easy trick.
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[@johngiromini5745]

That was amazing find. Thanks for sharing!!

[@AmyAstro]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-qt3dc1yz6t]

One thing to consider in regards to back focus distance is the thickness of the filters used. Celestron's RASA filters are 1.9mm thick whereas for instance, IDAS filters are 2.5mm thick. I understand the RASA, being f/2 is very sensitive to backfocus and therefore, given that the RASA with the clear filter requires a 7.5mm ring to achieve the proper backfocus (as I understand it) with cameras such as the ZWO with 17.5mm distance to sensor with the 11mm ring in place (as well as others such as the QHY 163 which has that distance but does not have an external removable ring) which again, is calculated with the clear filter in place, if one replaces the clear Celestron filter with an IDAS, the filter combination would push the focus out from that with the clear glass so one would therefore need LESS than the 7.5mm that the adapter ring would provide. (Filter thickness / 3 = added focus: 1.9/3 = .633 - and this is included in the 7.5mm ring spacer. 2.5/3 = .833 - so 2mm MORE pushed back and thus requiring LESS additional ring distance so instead of 7.5mm, would only need 7.3mm). I have not yet received my RASA 8 so if this is not correct, please let me know.

[@DavesAstrophotography]

Excellent Amy! Just one comment, I don't know if these filters have a specific direction of mounting, but when you tipped them out, you put them camera side down on the mat, but when you remounted into the new holder, you put camera side in first, so if you notice any oddities in your imaging, that might be a cause, so might be just a simple filter flip to sort. Guess you wont know until you start imaging if it makes a difference.

[@AmyAstro]

Great observation. I had better check that out.

[@setnes]

I came here to mention the same thing about the front/back orientation of filters. :)

[@AmyAstro]

@@setnes Thank you!

[@stephencox3446]

Thanks for sharing Amy, over here in England we haven't had any clear skies for at least a couple of months. Very frustrating not to get out. Keep up the good work.

[@AmyAstro]

I know that feeling. It has been a long time since I had a clear night.

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

I've just done the same to a Baader IR cut filter as the housing had to be cut to remove it, I did first try fitting it into a cheap skywatcher 2" skyglow filter housing but the glass was to big buy I did find an unused Antares polarising filter to which I fitted the ir cut filter, best of all the polarizing filter fitted the skyglow housing.

[@peterraymond3653]

Awesome vid, the rig is coming along great. Looking forwards to the updates. I see you have a dew heater fitted to your Zwo camera. I'm suffereng from condensation on the sensor (not the outer glass} on my 294MC pro and wondered if you had the same problem? I've tried drying the dessicant "tablets" but its not helped. Nor has cooling the camera slowly from ambient (about 8C) to -10C over 30 mins. I've even tried a flexible dew heater on the front of the camera and turning on the dew ring on my RASA but all to no avail. Hope you can give me some pointers. Really looking forwards to the updates and love the astro pets!

[@AmyAstro]

I found that when I moved out of the suburbs dew became a greater issue. No black top to evaporate it. I had to add the ZWO dew heater to the camera. This helped a lot on those very moist nights. I am not sure if I will need it with the dew ring, but don't want to remove it. Crazy part is the ZWO dew heater is a use on one camera only and never remove. I don't like that they stick to the camera body. Thank you for watching!

[@orionm4268]

Wonder if one could make an insolater that wraps around the camera body yet allows airflow for the cooling fan. One thing i do though if the air is stagnant is put a fan outside where my gear would be positioned, as long as there is airflow dew isnt much of a problem

[@AstroDenny]

Did you get that rig out to Deerlick this weekend? I can't wait to see what you get with it!

[@AmyAstro]

Not yet. Making videos and building at the same time takes a bit longer. :) Soon

[@michael.a.covington]

Nice! As an alternative to dismantling an Optolong filter to get the mounting, I wonder how hard it is to find an old 48-mm camera filter that has the same kind of retaining ring, and is cheaper. Or even a new 48-mm "UV protector" that is cheap, provided its mount can be disassembled.

[@michael.a.covington]

By the way, Astrodillo says hello :) He turned up at both of my last 2 observing sessions.

[@AmyAstro]

@@michael.a.covington Awe! You have a true astro buddy now.

[@AmyAstro]

I have been hunting for empty rings. No luck so far. I figure the cheapest option is use what you have. ;p

[@gomanastro]

I can't stand the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard, or on a H alpha filter!.... :)

[@AmyAstro]

Ear plugs are our friend. :P lol