Celestron Edge HD 8 PST and LUNT60 MOD2

[OlegLviv]

Hi to all. After modifying 127 refractor mod 2 pst, I realized that you need to increase the aperture and reduce the length of your solar telescope from 1.6 meters to 60 cm and somehow take away the sweet spot (I HATE SWEET SPOT).

After looking through many solar telescopes, I came across an AiryLab telescope, but wanted to do something similar but with a separate ERF filter.

I follow the work of MalVeauX and saw that he also made such a mod with PST mod 2 with Celestron Edge HD 8.
After a year of use Celestron Edge HD 8 bought Lunt 60 with a etalon of 35mm and made a successful mod for the refractor.
Right now MalVeauX want modifying Celestron Edge HD 8 with Lunt 60 (35mm etalon vs 20mm PST etalon) and I waiting to celebrate

I know that I have to buy a ERF filter this first.(Baader? Beoptick?)
I have to buy a good telecentric lens 3-4x this second.(Baader? Beoptick?)
And other.

I have (ZWO 174MM,290MM,294MM)
I have (Televue Powermate 2.5x and 5x)
I have (PST MOD 2 with BF15)
I have (Lunt 60 with B1200)

Please tell me, what should I buy to modify mine Celestron Edge HD 8 For photographing the sun

Thank you!

[christian viladrich]

Hello,

For a 210 mm ERF, there is currently only one supplier. This is Aries / Ukraine.

For the telecentric, if you use a Lunt (or PST etalon), you need at least f/40. It means a 4x telecentric. You might try with a Televue Powermate 4x to give it a try.
AiryLab had a 3.5x telecentric optimized for Celestron SC. Nor sure whether you can find one on the second hand market. In any case, 3.5x is a bit on the low side for an air-spaced etalon.
Baader has a 4x telecenric. I've never tried it on my C8 since I have the AiryLab 3.5x.
Beloptik can provide a telecentric with any magnification factor.

Then, you would need a focal reducer (even for the IMX174) or better, use the new camera Appolo camera with 9 micron pixels.

Hope this helps

[OlegLviv]

christian viladrich
You are the best! Thank you for this book and thanks for translate ENGLISH http://solar-astronomy-book.com/
I have been waiting for this book for 3 months and now reading 9 chapter

1.Yes you wrote about air spaced etalon and mica etalon (f45 air space pst and lunt) (f30 mica etalon) need Baader or Beloptik 4X
Baader dont have 4x only 3x now......Beloptik can order 3.5x or 3.7x (example 2000*3.7=7400/180=f41 or 2000*4=8000/180=f44) Why 180? Because want buy Baader 180 ERF.
2.After 7400mm or 8000mm need buy SolarSpectrum Research Grade H-alpha 0.4x Telecompressor 2
3.I have 2.5 Powermate and 5x 1.25 and want try for my Refractor 127/1150 f9+PST MOD2 BF15
I hear about 4x 2.0 Powermate but price not good better buy Beloptik or Baader Telecentric
4.About Zwo 174mm best of the best for me! Yes saw new Appolo camera with 9 micron pixels maybe for future

christian viladrich what you say about CAK for Celestron Hd8 + Lunt b600 or B1200?
I see Baader ERF does not pass calcium but Baader Research Grade TZ-3 Telecentric System write about Diffraction limited design also at 396 nm (CaK)

Thank you!

[marktownley]

Hi There.

I would get a solar seeing monitor and check what your daytime seeing conditions are like before you spend a load of cash on a system that your conditions potentially don't support. I've seen a lot of people who jump straight to 8"+ solar setups and then realise they are only usable a couple of times a year. Aperture is not king in solar, seeing is.

I would categorically not recommend a SCT for CaK - you will get much better results with your 5" frac. Always get the largest CaK filter you can afford.

Mark

[OlegLviv]

marktownley
If I'm not mistaken you have an AiryLab Celestron SC what can you say about it?
Judging by the photos from the book christian viladrich is a wonderful compact solar telescope.

Why Celestron edge HD8?
1.Because Celestron edge HD8 have coma corrector and can photography deep sky, planet nebulas, clusters.
2.I never had a telescope with a focus of 2000mm
3.Compact for me and this is very important because my balcony now can not even my 127mm refractor F9 + PSTMOD2(1600 мм)
4.I have only EAST and SOUTH EAST view for photography at 06:00 AM to 11:00 AM and forest nearby.

What do you say about Lunt CAK? (B600,B1200)
Can use with my refractor 127/1150 f9?

Which refractor loves calcium (APO,ED,Achromatic)?
Which F loves calcium (F7,F8,F9,F10)?

Thank you! Have a nice day!

[christian viladrich]

Hello,

Nice to hear you finally received the book :-)

As Mark explained, Ca K (or H) is a no go for the C8 because of the large spherical aberration in near UV. Regarding Ha with the C8, a focal reducer might help for sure. 0.6x could be enough.