First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question
- thedoci
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First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question
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.
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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- solarchat
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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question
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.
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.
Stephen W. Ramsden
Atlanta, GA USA
Founder/Director Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
http://www.solarastronomy.org
Atlanta, GA USA
Founder/Director Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
http://www.solarastronomy.org
- marktownley
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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question
Lunt LS50, no question.
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
- swisswalter
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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question
Hi Lukas
I would start with the PST and then later on mod it to your refractor
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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- thedoci
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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question
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)
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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- swisswalter
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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question
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
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
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
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
- thedoci
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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question
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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- swisswalter
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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question
Hi Lukas
with a simple 127/1200 FH , called "Skywalker" and the PST mod
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
from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch
from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa
- thedoci
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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question
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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- swisswalter
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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question
Hi Lukas
you can't be going wrong. Two ways to use it, first as it is and then mod it
you can't be going wrong. Two ways to use it, first as it is and then mod it
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
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
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.
Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question
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
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
- thedoci
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Re: First H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Question
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.
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
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....
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....
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"Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs" and
"Imaging Sunlight - using a digital spectroheliograph" - Springer