First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question

Use this section to discuss "standard" Baader/Coronado/ Lunt SolarView/ Daystar, etc… filters, cameras and scopes. No mods, just questions/ answers and reviews.
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thedoci
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First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question

Post by thedoci »

Hello you all,

i am not sure if this is the right forum section for this question, but id like some input form you guys as to my first H-Alpha Solar Telescope. This is due to me going to Denmark for a few weeks, to a part of the country with large body's of water on the east and west side. Thus seeing conditions should be rather good (I hope).

so here is a list of some telescopes in my price range:
- Coronado PST
- Lunt LS35 Delux edition
- Lunt LS50THA with B600 Blocking filter
- Daystar Quark with a Skywatcher Startravel-80 or 102(Black Dimond)

I intend to use the scope visually as well as for imaging.

I would like to know your opinion as to which of these scopes i should get. Or if you have suggestions i am interested in hearing them.
Last edited by thedoci on Thu May 29, 2014 9:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.


Gear: GSO 150/750mm Newton, Old 68/1200mm Refractor, Baader Solar Film, Baader Continuum Filter, Baader L filter, Baader Q-turret Barlow, Sony A350, Sony HX-20, Point Grey Scorpion 13FFM, Point Grey Grasshopper GRAS-03S3M-C, Grundig FA85 I (CCTV camera that im having a play with)

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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question

Post by solarchat »

if you already have a nice refractor then the quark is a good choice for visual. if you don't have a really good refractor then there is no question that the LS50 is the best option.

None of these are made for imaging and I wouldn't want to recommend any of them for imaging. If you can only choose one of these then I would use the same criteria as above for visual/imaging.


The pressure tuned LS60 is optimal startup for imaging.


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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question

Post by marktownley »

Lunt LS50, no question.


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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Lukas

I would start with the PST and then later on mod it to your refractor ;)


Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE :)

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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question

Post by thedoci »

Could the Etalon of the LS50THA also be used in a similer way to the PST's etelon? I was actualy thinking about moding a scoep for solar work, i was thinking of buying a Lyra 102mm F/11 Refractor and then moding it with some Etalon and a Baader ERF.

Also to solarchats comment that the LS60 is better for imaging, i asume that this is because of the larger optics, but is the bandwidth of the Etalon also a reason for this.
Also, say i wold go with the LS60, should i go for the B600 or B1200 version

Also creating things on a lathe isn't a problem for me, so creating some adapters to get the Lunt Etalon onto some other scope wouldn't be that difficult.

Alternatively i could save up for a larger solar scope or even a DayStar or SolarSpektrum Etalon + Lunt blocking filter + Baader ERF

Also i have a question, would a mod (regardless of the etalons origin) benefit from using a APO refactor, such as the Skywatcher Esprit, or will say a Lyra or TS Refractor be good enough

Also Walter, i couldn't use my Refractor, as i have 2 problems with it. The first problem is that it is too heavy for my mount to handle, its essentialy a chunk of steel and it would exceed the already optimistic payload limit set by Skywatcher. And the second is that it has a star diaginal permanently mounted to the Focuser, the diagonal is literally part of the focuser (they are the same piece of metal)


Gear: GSO 150/750mm Newton, Old 68/1200mm Refractor, Baader Solar Film, Baader Continuum Filter, Baader L filter, Baader Q-turret Barlow, Sony A350, Sony HX-20, Point Grey Scorpion 13FFM, Point Grey Grasshopper GRAS-03S3M-C, Grundig FA85 I (CCTV camera that im having a play with)

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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Lukas

if you go with a LUNT60 then take the B1200 blocker. All my mods work perfect with simple FH, there is no need for a APO

a pic from today
PST_127_1200_310514_112610.jpg
PST_127_1200_310514_112610_color.jpg


Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE :)

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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question

Post by thedoci »

Whith what configuration that image taken? That is a very nice image!


Gear: GSO 150/750mm Newton, Old 68/1200mm Refractor, Baader Solar Film, Baader Continuum Filter, Baader L filter, Baader Q-turret Barlow, Sony A350, Sony HX-20, Point Grey Scorpion 13FFM, Point Grey Grasshopper GRAS-03S3M-C, Grundig FA85 I (CCTV camera that im having a play with)

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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Lukas

with a simple 127/1200 FH , called "Skywalker" and the PST mod


Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE :)

from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch

from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa ;)
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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question

Post by thedoci »

Well, i think i will go for the PST then.


Gear: GSO 150/750mm Newton, Old 68/1200mm Refractor, Baader Solar Film, Baader Continuum Filter, Baader L filter, Baader Q-turret Barlow, Sony A350, Sony HX-20, Point Grey Scorpion 13FFM, Point Grey Grasshopper GRAS-03S3M-C, Grundig FA85 I (CCTV camera that im having a play with)

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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Lukas

you can't be going wrong. Two ways to use it, first as it is and then mod it ;)


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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question

Post by Sungazer »

Hi Lukas, Without doubt the PST is a very good scope ,and can later on be used as a very nice mod. I have used mine for many years, with excellent views. .All the best, John.


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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question

Post by ForrestLockhart »

Hi Lukas,
I have a Lunt 60, but on trips where a quick solar look in the morning is all I can hope for, I borrow our club P.S.T. It works OK on a light tripod, is compact, and provides good views of ol' Sol.
If you decide with the LS60, SwissWalter's advice to go with the B1200 blocker is very sound.
Forrest


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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question

Post by thedoci »

Well i recently came across the double stacked version of the PST, would it be worth the extra money to get a bandwidth of 0.5A instead of 1A. Ive seen a picture from Alexandra with here DSPST. And i must say, they are more epic then the simple PST images.

Additionally, could the SolerMax eternal Etalon be used in a solar scope mod, as the diameter is much larger then the PST's internal etalon?

Also i have decided to get a PST, regardless of which type, DS or non DS. And i will not mod it, i will however maby get a second one (nonDS) for modding purposes, if the front etalon of the DS PST cant be used.

If im wrong with the PST DS having a external Etalon, then pleas correct me.


Gear: GSO 150/750mm Newton, Old 68/1200mm Refractor, Baader Solar Film, Baader Continuum Filter, Baader L filter, Baader Q-turret Barlow, Sony A350, Sony HX-20, Point Grey Scorpion 13FFM, Point Grey Grasshopper GRAS-03S3M-C, Grundig FA85 I (CCTV camera that im having a play with)

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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question

Post by Merlin66 »

The SM40 double stack etalon is a front mounted etalon.
To use it as the basis for a "mod" it needs additional optics - Check out the MARCON design....ends up a bit bulky and heavy....
HALPHA01legendaicon.jpg
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