Spectroscopy
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StarAnalyzer spectrum of Quasar 3C 273
This image shows the spectrum of quasar 3C 273, obtained with a StarAnalyzer diffraction grating mounted in the filter wheel of my QSI683 CCD camera. This relatively short exposure, taken under a first quarter Moon, was more than sufficient to capture the brightest Hydrogen emission lines in the spectrum which appears to the right of the 3C 273 zero order image.
The Balmer lines for H-Alpha and H-Beta appear prominently as strong emission features and there is also a hint of the H-Gamma line. The emission lines are significantly red-shifted, with H-Alpha appearing beyond the visible range of 3800-7400Å
Note that the stars and the quasar itself are out of focus in this image in order to show their focused spectra.
Click here to see the spectrum of 3C 273 captured with a simple diffraction grating, and its red-shift and distance calculated using the Hydrogen emission lines.
Image details:
Date: 10th April 2022
Exposure: 70 minutes @ -25C
Telescope: Homebuilt 12.5" f/4 Serrurier Truss Newtonian
Camera: QSI 683wsg with Lodestar guider
Filters: StarAnalyzer SA200
Taken from my observatory in Auckland, New Zealand
