[BAA Comets] Use of light pollution filters

[Shanklin, Jonathan D.]

Filters are very much discouraged for visual magnitude estimates.  Given that each electronic device is different consistency would be increased if a V filter is used, but I would rather have some reduced photometry submitted than none because you don't have a filter.  If an LPR filter is effectively minus Sodium you will be loosing significant information, particularly in the case of 2012 S1, where Sodium emission may become significant.  In general LPR filters may be fine for pretty pictures, but not so good for scientific study.

Jonathan Shanklin,
Director
________________________________________
From: comets-disc-bounces at britastro.org [comets-disc-bounces at britastro.org] On Behalf Of Peter Carson [petercarson100 at gmail.com]
Sent: 14 November 2013 13:33
To: BAA Comets discussion list
Subject: [BAA Comets] Use of light pollution filters

Hi All,
What do people think about the use of an IDAS Light pollution suppression filter for comet images?
I do my comet imaging without any filters whatsoever to maintain any scientific value of the raw data. I also image "pretty pictures" and use all kinds of filters including IDAS LPS filters.
My observatory is in a heavily light polluted urban area and I know the aesthetic image quality can be improved by the use of a filter but want peoples views as to whether that compromises the RAW data.
PS, below is a link to yesterday mornings 2013R1 image showing a gas tail over 1 degree long stretching out of the camera's field of view.
http://www.astromania.co.uk/2013R1_20131113_0447_PCarson.jpg

Regards
Peter Carson
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