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What's the actual size of your 2" filters in "mm" with and without frame/ring? What step down adapter is suggested from a 52 mm to "-- mm"?
Question by: Waqas Ahmad on Oct 10, 2016 7:54:00 PM | 1 Answer(s)
What are the threads and pitch of your 1.25" and 2" filters?
Question by: Anders G. on Sep 20, 2017 12:55:00 PM | 1 Answer(s)
Rating of Question
50
Our 1.25" filters have a M28.5 male (and M28.5 front female) thread / our 2" filters have a M48 male (and M48 front female) thread
Both thread sizes come with our proprietary pitch - which is not the same for the female and male threads.
This is our own proprietary "emergency solution" for uniting a world were manufacturers all over the world copy from each other - to the point that there are almost a dozen different pitches in use for male and female threads. Traditionally US-companies used to do a UNF-based pitch and the rest of the world went for metric threads - but these do vary from 0.5 to 0.75.
For this reason it does not make sense to publish our non standard pitch because our pitch is made to cope with all existing metric and US-pitch standards - and as said - our solution has evolved from sheer necessity. It is a mixture of a queer pitch and under-/over-dimensioning . We will not want to declare this as a standard and get bashed up for it. It works for us and is a result of 20 years adaptation to fit our filters onto all crazy threads we have seen. And inspite of this - every now and then there comes another "dragonboat-eyepiece" were even our filters may not fit...
Answer by: Baader Web Team (Admin) on Sep 22, 2017 1:43:00 PM
The calcium GEN-II filter lets you observe the interesting border region between the photosphere, which is visible in white light, and the chromosphere of the sun, which is reserved for narrow-band H-alpha filters. In addition to the structures known from white light, such as sunspots, you can see the chromospheric network distributed over the entire surface of the sun, which precedes the formation of sunspots, as well as cells of supergranulation and Ellerman Bombs.
The emission line of calcium at 394 nm is already in the near UV. That's why observing the sun at this wavelength is only possible with a camera! Never use this filter for visual observations, as our eye is blind for the harmful UV-radiation, but can be damaged by it.
This filter delivers the best results when used with a monochrome camera (which is more sensitive in this part of the spectrum than a colour camera) and mirror telescopes (because especially refractors with fast f/ratios are not optimized for best sharpness in this part of the spectrum). Nevertheless, many lens telescopes still work fine for calcium observations; unmodified DSLRs may need extremely long exposure times.
All calcium-filters require an additional solar filter in front of them. Part of the Baader GEN-II is a sheet of
AstroSolar Photo Film OD 3.8, 20x30 cm(#2459278 , € 34,-)
to build a solar filter by yourself, so that you can start observing without purchasing any other filters. Of course, you can also use one of the BDSF: Baader Digital Solar Filter OD 3.8 (80mm - 280mm)which are already mounted in a filter cell. On suitable lens telescopes, you can also use a Herschel prism. That way, you can replace the integrated ND3-filter mounted behind the Herschel with a weaker filter to reach shorter exposure times. These filters are already in the scope of delivery of the
Baader Safety CoolCeramic Herschel Prism 2" Photographic (#2956510P , € 645,-)
.
The calcium GEN-II replaces the older K-Line Filter 1¼" (stacked) # 2458355. Thanks to modern manufacturing techniques, a single filter now achieves a better quality and narrower half-band width (FWHM) of only 5 nm instead of the previous 8 nm; stacking two filters is now no longer necessary. This also makes it possible to use the filter in standard filter wheels/drawers; the low-profile filter mount is only 6 mm high when screwed in.
This entry was posted on March 1, 2023 by Team Baader PlanetariumLast modified on February 27, 2024.
The Baader Calcium GEN-II has got all the advantages of the new generation of CMOS-optimized Baader filters:
Increased contrast, matched for typical CMOS quantum efficiency and s/n ratio
Reflex-Blocker™ coatings, for largest ever freedom from halos, even under most adverse conditions concerning aux-optics
Identical filter thickness to existing standards, with utmost care for parfocality
Blackened edges all around, with filter-lead-side-indicator in the form of a telescope-sided black outer rim, to additionally eliminate any reflection due to light falling onto the edge of a filter
Each filter coated individually, with sealed coating edge (NOT cut out of a larger plate with coatings left exposed, read more)
Life-Coat™: evermore hard coatings to enable a non-aging coating for life – even in a most adverse environment
The purpose of an Energy Rejection Filter is to prevent as much solar energy as possible from entering the telescope in the first place and thus avoid excessive heating of...
APF-R goes online as official plugin in Adobe Photoshop
Christoph Kaltseis is a Photoshop expert and an experienced astrophotographer. In recent years, he has developed APF-R (Absolute Point of Focus),...
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Here you can jump directly to customer images taken with CMOS-optimized Baader Filters
Update May 4th, 2022:
After many customer feedback about our CMOS-Optimized Narrowband filters, we learned...
Sometimes it is worth giving things a second chance after many years. Panta rhei, as the saying goes…
The Baader Solar Continuum Filter is such an inconspicuous thing that I...
In the spring of 2022, I had the chance to give my opinion on a couple of prototypes of a possible successor to the K-Line filter. The calcium line (CaK)...
March 2021: The idea behind the visual use of blue filters from RGB palettes is that they have much higher transmittances in the blue value and steeper curve slopes than...
The moment you insert any type of filter into the optical setup, which consists of your specific camera, the appropriate flattener/reducer or coma corrector and the telescope, the filter becomes...
About Baader Filters
The variety of uses for filters in amateur astronomy has considerably increased during the last decade, enabled by both more accurately manufactured optical accessories, and, above all, by the “digital revolution“....
During the last couple of months after introducing our new CMOS-optimized filter families, we have received lots of positive feedback from our customers.
However, there was an increasing number of...
What do you look for in an astronomical filter? Everyone has different requirements and goals and with a myriad of filters available today; how do you choose the right filters...
What do you look for in an astronomical filter? Everyone has different requirements and goals and with a myriad of filters available today; how do you choose the right filters to unleash the full potential of Astrophotography?
In this blog our customer Ian Aiken gives some high level advice on what to look for when choosing a filter, coupled with reasoning why he choose the Baader's CMOS-Optimized LRGBand Ultra Narrowband f/2 filters, along with example LRGB and SHO images taken with these filters on his Celestron RASA 11 from his Bortle 7 suburban location.
Blog Post by Ian Aiken:
I live in the North East of England in the United Kingdom, which experiences a temperate maritime climate characterized by mild summers and cool winters. Cloudiness can vary throughout the year and it feels like I only get 20 usable clear nights per year at my Bortle 7 location during the 6 months where astronomical darkness actually occurs. I've been an Astrophotographer for over 20 years and I've had all kinds of telescopes, mounts, filters (including Optolong, Astro Hutech, Chroma, Baader) and cameras (Atik, QHYCCD, ZWO, Canon) in this time, for both planetary and deep sky photography. Financially, I've learnt the hard way through fine tuning my current collection to something which supports my sky conditions, budget, time, and imaging goals.
Currently I own a Skywatcher EQ8 mounted in my roll off roof observatory. On this I have a RASA 11 with Baader UFC, QHY268M camera and Baader's CMOS-Optimized LRGB and Ultra-Narrowband f/2 filters.
Here are the factors I've considered when choosing my filters:
Price: Assess the price of the product in relation to its features, quality, and performance. Is the price reasonable and competitive compared to similar products in the market? Consider whether the product offers significant advantages or unique features that justify its price.
In my opinion, Baader filters are absolutely value for money. They've kept the price competitive and performance high. A set of Baader filters costs a little more than a single Chroma. Chroma are good, but did not feel value for money in comparison (Baader 2" LRGB set ~ € 500 vs. Chroma LRGB ~ € 2.238).
Quality: Examine the quality of the product. Does it meet your expectations in terms of durability, craftsmanship, and overall build quality? A product that is well-made and built to last will provide better long-term value.
Baader CMOS-Optimized filters come with Baader Planetarium's Life-Coat technology. Baader warrant the coatings for the life of the filter guaranteeing that the coatings will not peel, flake or physically degrade and they have no issues with you cleaning the filters with fine optical cleaning equipment. You can see the build quality is high, the coatings look durable, and I can understand how Baader can offer such a life time warranty. I don't think anyone else offers this.
Performance: Evaluate how well the product performs its intended function. Does it deliver the expected results or fulfil your requirements? Consider its efficiency, accuracy, reliability, and any additional benefits it provides compared to alternative options.
I'm going to post some images later in this blog, and you can judge the quality for yourself. Yes, there were initial problems with halos and these have been resolved. I haven't had any issues that I am concerned about. Halos can be a real pain, and it's not always the filter that causes this (most cases it is not the filter). Reflections can occur in your imaging system and could be caused by a number of factors: including spacing between optical elements; distance to CMOS camera; the CMOS camera front window itself etc. You have to spend time to understand your entire optical system and its individual nuances.
Features and Specifications: Review the features, specifications, and capabilities of the product. Are there any unique or advanced features that differentiate it from competing products? Determine whether these features are essential to your needs and whether they justify the price.
I opted for high-speed ultra-narrowband to match with my RASA 11. This was based upon my needs (explained a bit further below). In terms of features, what stood out was the features integrated into the filters to help prevent reflections and halos. For instance:
Reflex-Blocker - with coatings to reduce halos caused by my imaging system.
Parfocal - this helps to not have to refocus so much during a filter change. As a filter change is manual on my RASA 11 with the Baader UFC system, it means less movement with my motorised focuser and I am back to imaging quicker (and the focuser isn't off on some mission to reach focus by going further out of focus, which can happen when using an SCT type design).
Blackened edges - again to help reduce reflections in my imaging system, lots of mirrors and glass = high potential for reflection
Sealed Coating Edge - each filter is coated individually and not cut from a sheet. This is probably why they will last forever, and Baader are able to offer Life-Coat warranty.
Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews: Research the brand's reputation and customer reviews of the product. Look for feedback from other customers who have used the product to gain insights into its performance, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Positive reviews and a strong brand reputation can indicate better value for money.
Baader Planetarium have been in business since 1966. I've never experienced any poor customer care from dealers or Baader directly (I admit, I've not really had any issues either, with exception of one issues with the early Baader Steeltrack software which was swiftly resolved by Baader themselves). As a family run business, I feel they are passionate with what they do, and want to do the right thing at the right price, making astronomy accessible to all budget types, and truly are Aiders in Astronomy (this is their slogan).
Longevity and Future Compatibility: Consider the product's longevity and future compatibility. Will it remain relevant and usable for a reasonable period? Assess whether the product is upgradable or compatible with future advancements or technologies to ensure its value over time.
I have the older Baader 2" CCD filters which are in the same condition that I purchased them in. I have no concerns about the longevity of the Baader CMOS Optimised filters, especially backed by the Life-Coat warranty. 2" filters are going nowhere, and while the sensors on modern CMOS cameras are getting larger, I cannot see the need to upgrade anytime soon. I've been using 2" filters for the past 20 years.
Warranty and Customer Support: Evaluate the warranty offered by the manufacturer and the availability of customer support. A reliable warranty and responsive customer support can provide additional value by offering peace of mind and assistance in case of any issues or defects.
Baader offers Life-Coat, a lifetime warranty on their CMOS-Optimized filters (providing used and handled correctly). As a family run business operating for over 50 years, Baader are trustworthy and offer great customer support.
Personal Needs and Preferences: Finally, consider how well the product aligns with your specific needs, preferences, and intended use. Different products may cater to different requirements, so it's essential to choose one that best suits your circumstances and priorities.
What did I choose?
I decided on the Ultra Narrowband High-Speed filters on my RASA 11. Why? Well, the reasoning may surprise you. While the filters are excellent value for money, my garden backs onto other gardens and my neighbours have lots of LED lights lit, especially on weekends when it's not windy, the moon is not out, and the sky conditions are good. You can picture the challenges already. Also, there are trees which do not belong to me which get in the way. I work full time, and have two small children, time is limited. I'm middle-aged, but not retired, so I cannot stay up all night imaging into the early hours. So, I went for a RASA for high speed imaging, reducing my imaging time significantly. While I may image across multiple nights, I don't need to. It just works for my current situation. The Baader filters are brilliant on the RASA 11, and I'm able to produce some excellent results (see further in the blog) even with all my challenges.
I hope the above helps you make a decision on what filters would be good for your needs. Baader Planetarium has a really nice tool to help you match which filters would be best for your imaging system. At time of writing you can access this tool: Baader Narrowband-/Highspeed Filter Selector
Example of Astrophotography taken with Baader CMOS Optimized Filters
I could talk about how tight the stars are (they are), how the filters have much more contrast than their predecessors (they do), but this can still be very subjective and influenced by sky conditions. My skies aren't great, they really aren't, and I have to battle with all the other issues living in a suburban environment. These images were also shot in reasonably poor conditions with thin haze. I also have to point out that I don't spend a massive amount of time processing my images. I think partly, if you capture good data you can produce a good image. You don't, in my opinion, need to push an imagine in processing so that it looks so bright and colourful. To me this looks over processed, and I prefer the darker looking style images with simple histogram and curves transformations. There's the disclaimers out of the way.
My workflow consists of using PixInsight to Calibrate, Stack, Automatic Background Neutralisation, BlurXterminate, NoiseXterminate, and maybe StarXterminate. I may use TGV Denoise post stretching but haven't on these examples. I simply use the ScreenTransferFunction (STF) in PI applied to the Histogram, and a hint of Curves Transformation before exporting off into a PNG/JPG. There's probably so much more I could do, but I don't. Oh, I nearly forgot. I do use PhotometricColorCalobration in PixInsight, which applies a white balance to the image.
NGC 7023 - The Iris Nebula 2 hour integration from Bortle 7 sky
NGC 7023, also known as the Iris Nebula, is a captivating and visually striking celestial object located in the constellation Cepheus. This reflection nebula lies approximately 1,300 light-years away from Earth, and its unique features have made it a favourite target for amateur and professional astronomers alike. The Iris Nebula gets its name from the distinct shape and appearance of its central region, which resembles an iris or an eye. This prominent feature is created by a dense cloud of interstellar dust, which scatters and reflects the light emitted by nearby stars. The dust particles in the nebula also create intricate dark filaments, adding to its overall visual allure. At the heart of NGC 7023 lies a young star cluster, illuminating the surrounding gas and dust with its intense radiation. This interaction gives rise to the vibrant hues of blue and yellow seen in many astro photographs of the nebula.
Imaging System: QHY286M CMOS Camera mounted on RASA 11 with Baader UFC. Filters: Baader CMOS Optimised LRGB Mount: Skywatcher EQ8 Exposure Details: 30 x 60 seconds each channel (LRGB). Total 2 hours integration time from Bortle 7 skies.
NGC 7635 - The Bubble Nebula 17 Hour Integration from Bortle 7 Sky
NGC 7635, famously known as the Bubble Nebula, is a captivating and visually stunning emission nebula located in the constellation Cassiopeia. Its unique structure and distinct appearance have made it a popular target for both amateur and professional astronomers. The Bubble Nebula derives its name from the spherical bubble-like structure at its center, which is created by the powerful stellar wind and radiation emitted by a massive, hot, and young central star. This star, known as BD+60 2522, is estimated to be several times more massive than our Sun and emits intense ultraviolet radiation, which ionizes the surrounding hydrogen gas. The ionized gas then emits light, creating the striking reddish glow seen in images of the nebula.
Imaging System: QHY286M CMOS Camera mounted on RASA 11 with Baader UFC. Filters: Baader CMOS Optimised 3.5/4nm f/2 Ultra Highspeed (Ultra-Narrowband) filters. Mount: Skywatcher EQ8 Exposure Details: Ha: 354x60s, SII: 121x60s & 104x120s, OIII: 175x120s. Total ~17 hours integration time from Bortle 7 skies.
Don't ask why the varying exposure! I'd also like to collect more data on SII and OIII in due course given it's about half of what I planned and need. You can tell by the images more is needed. Maybe next time, right? Astrophotography is for life not just for Christmas, or something like that…
I mixed the combination using PixelMath in PixInsight.
NGC 7635 - Baader f/2 3.5nm Ha CMOS-OptimizedNGC 7635 - Baader f/2 4nm OIII CMOS-OptimizedNGC 7635 - Baader f/2 4nm SII CMOS-OptimizedNGC 7635 - RGB/SHO Combination with StarsNGC 7635 - RGB/SHO Combination with Reduced StarsNGC 7635 - RGB/SHO Combination without StarsNGC 7635 - RGB/SHO Combination Crop
And finally to finish off, M45 taken with Baader CMOS-Optimized LRGB on same kits as above.
M45 taken with Baader CMOS-Optimized LRGB
Reviews
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I bought this fiklter from Alpine Astro just recently. I used it on my Explore Scientific ES80CF, the carbon fiber 80 mm refractor and Baader OD 3.8 filter. I captured images using ASI178MM camera, initially full frame and then using a PowerMate 2.5X into the imaging train. I am quite pleased to see the results. These are my first exposures with this filter. I hope to get better images as I get to know it better.
It delivers what I love to see
Nothing much
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FLU
96/04/2023
07/04/202306:39
Rating:
Baader CaK Filter Gen II 1 1/4"
Anbei die ersten Ergebnisse mit meinem neuen CaK Filter von Baader, also Ergebnisse des first light.
Die Bedingungen waren eher schlecht, es war starker Wolkenzug und ich musste die Aufnahmen immer wieder unterbrechen. Da ich aber auf die Ergebnisse mit dem CaK Filter sehr gespannt war habe ich trotzdem weiter aufgenommen.
Ich muss sagen: die Produktbeschreibung trifft vollumfänglich zu. Die Fackelgebiete treten kontrastreich hervor, einfach genial. In der Bildbearbeitung steckt noch Potenzial, die Aufnahmen entstanden mit einem APO 72/432, ASI 178MM, Baader CaK Filter mit Sonnenffolie ND3,8. Aufgenommen mit SharpCap, Belichtungszeit um die 1ms, Videos zu 1000 frames davon jeweils 10% gestacket mit Autostakkert. Endbearbeitung mit Photoscape, nur leicht geschärft, Helligkeitskurve etwas angepasst und coloriert, das war es schon. Obwohl die aufgenommene, sehr kurzwellige, Strahlung empfindlicher auf Seeingeinflüsse reagiert waren die Aufnahmen schon im Rohzustand sehr gut, das hat mich schon überrascht, insbesondere weil ich die Sonne immer erst nachmittags ins FOV bekomme und über Hausdächer aufnehmen muss.
CS
Frank
die Ergebnisse, kontrastreiche Fackelgebiete, selbst weit bis in die Sonnenmitte
-
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Bethke Michael
163/06/2023
13/06/202308:54
Rating:
Nachtrag zum Kalzium GEN II
Bei meiner ersten Sonnenfotografie wurde nun mein selbstgebaute Sonnenfolienblende mit dem Baader Kalzium Filter eingesetzt.
Ich war begegeistert bei dem Ergebnis ,das ich auch Fotografisch festhalten konnte!
Klare Empfehlung von meiner Seite her !
CS Michael Bethke
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Bethke Michael
36/02/2023
06/02/202319:11
Rating:
Baader Kalzium Gen-II mit LPFC
Habe mir den Kalzium Gen-II mit LPFC zugelegt ,weil ich mich in der Sommerzeit mehr der Sonnenfotografie befassen möchte. Bei der beigelegten Folie und der Gebrauchsanweisung baute ich mir eine einige Sonnenblende aus einer GFK Platte. Die Sonnenblende wurde laut beiliegender Anweisung zusammengebaut!
Feldversuche (Sonnenfotografie) wurden noch nicht gemacht aber folgen…weil noch ein Bauteil nicht fertig ist….!
Weil ich einen Quattro 200P Newton habe, der einen Innendurchmesser von 220 mm hat habe ich bei meiner Sonnenblende einen Durchmesser von 160mm fräsen lassen ,weil die Folie alles abgedeckt hätte.
Folie etwas zu klein ,
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langlois
277/10/2023
05/10/202304:22
Rating:
k line genII
trés bon filtre
le k line gen II est vraiment trés bon , les plages faculaire ressortent bien
trés bon filtre solaire
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B. Lindqvist
108/04/2023
19/04/202311:17
Rating:
Hervorragender Kalzium Filter
Sehr gute Verarbeitung, seien es die Gewindegänge, die optischen Flächen oder die zusätzliche Folie. Die optische Qualität ist hervorragend, einen guten Himmel vorausgesetzt. Längere Belichtungszeiten sind bei Kalzium grundsätzlich nötig.
Sehr gute optische Ergebnisse im Bereich des Möglichen.
Die mir zu klein geratene Klappbox für den Filter.
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Váradi Nagy Pál
86/03/2023
28/03/202322:39
Rating:
Good, as expected
TLDR: no obvious difference, both the old one (double stacked, high cell) and the new genII (single, standard cell height) are **that good**.
Context: for the past almost two years, I've been doing full disk solar imaging on basically each and every clear day, as a lunch break activity. Full disk, so relatively fast optics to fit onto the sensor, see below. With every filter I have, including deep sky filters, because why not, let me see. I used all kinds of Baader filters at least once, and competitors' dedicated, more expensive solar modules for both Hydrogen Alpha and Calcium K are a regular. I think it is important to mention especially the very narrow, Angstrom-wide CaK, since it kind of brackets the expectations to be realistic here, in concordance with the 5nm specification from Baader. Also, I am familiar with the visibility of the active regions -- the highlight of the Calcium K line -- in basically all wavelengths, also through the Venus U filter (to my surprise, people don't really turn it to the Sun), the nothing-special-about-it dark blue filter, the continuum (both the very old one + an IR cut as it leaks in the IR, and the new 7.5 nm fwhm), and even in deep sky Hydrogen Alpha at 7nm fwhm. The active regions are way less obvious towards the red, but are there and post-processing can emphasize them, and in ultraviolet they are almost comparable-ish to the CaK cells' image.
The first time I used Baader's CaK filter, was back in 2015, and I remember being very happy with what I saw. Then, the filter was one of my favorites during the epic (for me at least) 2020 Venus season. So now there is this second generation filter on the market, I immediately placed the order, and got one.
The above being said, I dedicated two days to testing the genII filter, especially against its predecessor, and also against other filters.
2023-03-19, Romania, UTC+2, local noon give or take, my setup: EQ3-mod, mountpusher, Baader Astrosolar ND3.8 Film (brand new), TS-Optics 76/342 TS76EDPH, automated filter wheel with Solar Continuum 7.5nm, CaK old, CaK gen2, uv/ir cut and Venus U, ASI 178MM (cooled)
First of all, the seeing is a tricky thing in blue/UV, so the first day got dropped. From the second session, the three obvious differences:
(1) the form factor -- the higher filter body means the filter wheel may need a mod, in my case placing a T2 washer to prevent the T2 tube from going deep into the wheel's body and collide with the old CaK's edge
(2) the different focus position -- obviously
(3) and the two times shorter exposure time for the new version -- this doesn't really matter for solar imaging, but for Venus it'l be a competitor to the Venus U, trust me.
(4) uhm, basically no difference.
The result of my test: the image quality is basically the same. I thought, at first, that my filter wheel got stuck or landed on the other filter, as I cycled through, or something, but I inspected the position manually, and also the exposure time was a tell tale sign, not to mention the focusing. Maybe it is the fast optics, and at f/8 it would look different, but again, both filters perform in the very same tube, minutes apart, so for full disk, with this sensor size, let us accept the results. Also, the changes in the seeing can be really weird.
The images I posted here received no aesthetic editing, both are stacks with the same wavelets applied to them.
For further context, do check out the full disk Venus U Sun I posted as a review here https://www.baader-planetarium.com/en/filters/baader-u-filter-(venus-and-uv---350nm).html
I hope this helps those looking for opinions.
It delivers the advertised quality, closer to other filters' usual form factor
Please note: Due to the end of the fiscal year of Baader Planetarium GmbH and the associated annual stock-taking, we will not be able to ship from June 26th to 28th, 2024. We will make every effort to deliver your order before then, otherwise delivery will take place from July 1 (in chronological order, according to date of receipt). Thanks for your understanding.