Flat Fielding

The flat fielding button can be found on the right-hand side toolbar of the solar grid. It enables the user to select an area of the solar disk - away from active-regions and the limb - in which to perform flat-fielding. To take flats, do the following:

1. Press the Flat Field button on the toolbar
2. Using the left mouse button, select one corner of the area in which you wish to take flats
3. Holding the same button, drag to create a series of coordinates spanning as large an area as necessary, as shown below

   Figure 1: Defining a Flat Field Region

   

4. Release the button
5. Press the Scanning Play/Pause toolbar button. The telescope will now begin to traverse the list of new coordinates

When defining a flat-field area, it is recomended to keep the area quite small as, otherwise, the telescope will tend to overshoot.

To stop flat fielding and return to normal observations mode:

1. Press the Scanning Play/Pause toolbar button. The telescope will stop flat fielding
2. Press the Flat Field button on the toolbar. The solar grid can now be used normally again

Once back in normal observations mode, any previously stored coordinates will be restored.