Help! A Little Unsure of Solar Telescope or Filter to Buy

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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cshahar
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Help! A Little Unsure of Solar Telescope or Filter to Buy

Post by cshahar »

Hi Everyone:

Well in the last two days I have been vacillating regarding what solar telescope or filter to buy. I decided within an hour not to buy a Coronado scope (no offense intended to anyone) because for a few hundred dollars more Lunt has superior quality. I then was taken by the Lunt 60mm H-alpha Telescope BF1200 double stacked. It offers great views and potential images of the full disk of the sun and even half the disk. But since I want to eventually do imaging, I thought it would be fantastic to do some close-up views of the surface as well. So I looked at the Daystar Quantum filters, and the prices rise drastically out of my price range, particularly beyond 0.7 angstrom (I would also have to buy a quality refractor). Finally, I checked the Solarscope site, but Ken does not list any prices, and I have a feeling they are hefty.

So, I want to do some observing, but ultimately mostly imaging. I want sharp views / images of solar disc but also details of the surface. I guess I want my cake and want to eat it too. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
-Charles

My astronomy website:
http://www.lightfigures.com/DSS2/index.htm


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solarchat
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Re: HelpA Little Unsure of What Solar Telescope or Filter to

Post by solarchat »

Hi and welcome.

There is absolutely only one answer to this question, in ,my opinion of course...Lunt single etalon LS80.

This is the best value in dedicated solar scopes on the market today. Start with the single etalon and then if you want, add the double stacked later when you master the scope.


Stephen W. Ramsden
Atlanta, GA USA
Founder/Director Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
http://www.solarastronomy.org
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cshahar
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Re: Help! A Little Unsure of Solar Telescope or Filter to Bu

Post by cshahar »

Hmm. I haven't considered that. Two questions:
Will I be able to achieve significantly better detail regarding solar surface with the 80mm?
How much difference does a single versus double stack really make?
Thanks.


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Re: Help! A Little Unsure of Solar Telescope or Filter to Bu

Post by solarchat »

you might check my other site www.solarscopereviews.com


Stephen W. Ramsden
Atlanta, GA USA
Founder/Director Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
http://www.solarastronomy.org
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cshahar
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Re: Help! A Little Unsure of Solar Telescope or Filter to Bu

Post by cshahar »

I just did. Makes the choice even harder. It really just comes down to budget now.

-Charles


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Re: Help! A Little Unsure of Solar Telescope or Filter to Bu

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Charles

welcome to that wonderful site. Have fun in the sun.

I second Stephens words. Go first single stack, then upgrade. Take a LUNT 80 or even 100


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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