Ha specific eyepieces, Why?

[Ukastronomer]

When I bought a PST it came with a LUNT solar eyepiece supposedly better for Ha viewing than standard eyepieces.

I sold the PST because it was too limiting and now use the daystar Quark in a 72mm ed.

But I have never seen any difference between the Lunt Ha eyepiece and any other one I use, is it me

I use it because it came with the scope, had I bought it I may be annoyed.

Thanks

https://www.tringastro.co.uk/lunt-16mm-h-alpha-optimized-eyepiece-5078-p.asp

quote

"Given the optimization in the red end of the spectrum, LUNT eyepieces will also work very well for night time observing."

[N1]

Hi Jeremy, both Lunt and Meade/Coronado make amazing products, but after experiencing the same non-improvement over other EPs that you have, I've concluded that the "Ha specific" claim for their eyepieces is little more than a gimmick. That does not mean these units might not be of decent quality but does mean that any Ha related premium in price is unwarranted.

[Merlin66]

I agree.

[Ukastronomer]

Thanks

Appreciated

Just appears a lot to spend when you can get a VERY good Plossil for much less

[Outcast]

While we're on 'solar' eyepieces..., hope this is not considered a thread jack...

Does anyone have a preference for using zoom eyepieces on a solar scope over changing out eyepieces?

Just curious, I see a few people on various forums extolling the virtues of zoom eyepieces on a solar scope & wondering if the convenience is worth the additional expense....

Cheers

[Merlin66]

Many years ago I was lucky enough to pick up a Pentax XW 8-24 Zoom.
This is a fantastic eyepiece - beats the pants of the Meade, Celestron, Baader, TV zooms I tried.
Gives great views with the SM60/ED80 and the 102 PST Mod.

A zoom for solar observing is a good alternative, recommended.

[Ukastronomer]

I don't mind

Yes, I use this, best reviews

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/baader-hyperion-mark-iv-8-24mm-universal-zoom-eyepiece.html

[SteveInNZ]

I do find it harder to view through a solar scope (PST or Quark) and wondered if it has anything to do with pupil size since your eye is constricted in sunlight. I'm not much of a visual observer so I may be way off the mark.
It's not much more than a distraction for me, but it would be nice to make life easier when you show the Sun to people who haven't looked through an eyepiece before.
Are there eyepiece designs that would make it easier in daylight ?

Steve.

[sharpiel]

Ken that sounds like the perfect zoom. Can I have first dibs if you ever consider parting with it!?

[Merlin66]

Join the queue!!

[fsphotography]

Ken,i was fortunate enough to get hold of a Nikon 7-21mm eyepiece.

I found it was way out in front of any other ep i have for H/Alpha viewing.

It now lives permanently in my 90mm pst mod.


Frank.

[Ukastronomer]

This is a very good eyepiece

https://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/baader-hyperion-mark-iv-universal-zoom-8-24mm-eyepiece.html

[Foxinsox]

I used the LS 10mm SWA that came with my LUNT LS60T thinking that it was designed specifically for H-alpha solar viewing . Then I tried my Tele Vue 8mm radian. the Tele Vue was much better in resolving fine detail.

[AstroJunk]

It can be a matter of trial and error with eyepieces for Ha telescopes, and indeed, some lesser eyepieces can do very well.

You are looking at an incredibly narrow part of the spectrum at the, not surprisingly, red end! Normal eyepieces have coatings optimised around green, which is visually the most sensitive that our eyes detect so it is technically possible that specific coatings for Ha are brighter than generic coatings.

As chromatic aberrations become a non issue, simpler eyepieces like plossls can do very well, and with a centralised target, a 55 or less degree fov is just fine. My eyepiece case is dominated with Naglers for my dob, and these don't perform all that well in Ha. I very rarely deviate from the Lunt 7.2-21.5 (made by Orion in the US). I was told by either Andy Lunt or one of his engineers that the coatings were different from the std offering when they visited a few years back. I've not done a side by side comparison though.