Solar Observing?

[Matty P]

I've always wanted to get into solar observing since I realised it was possible to observe the Sun but I've never really had the funds to purchase a dedicated H-Alpha solar telescope.

I've been looking at the Coronado PST but am a bit worried about how much detail on the Sun I will be able to observe with it. I am also looking at the Coronado SolarMax 40 which is the next step up from the PST but I am still asking the same question.

I know that they are worth the money but I just don't want to buy one and be disappointed.

Another question is, are the views through the EP what you see in images that have been posted here by several members?

Thanks in advance. :thumbsup:

[Merlin66]

I have and use many different solar telescopes both visual and CCD.
The PST is a very cost effective intro to Ha observing. You'll probably need a shorty barlow to get CCD focus, but at the 0.9A bandwidth, yes you will see the surface detail and proms... just like the photos.
The SM40/ BF10 is a better system which allows you to use your own scope, usually with long focal lengths and easier focussing and imaging. You don't need a sophisticated Flouro triplet; remember you're only working in a VERY narrow bandwidth, so don't worry about colour correction.
The resolution is better than the PST, probably about 0.7A so more contrast and better detail becomes visible.
The next step up is to get more aperture and surface resolution.
The SM60/ BF15 I find is an ideal compromise, good surface detail and easy sighting of proms etc.
In summary: a PST is a very good starting point and you will see surface detail and proms. If funds permit, the SM40/ BF10 is a good step up will give you very satisfactory views for the next few years.

[Matty P]

Thankyou for your reply Merlin. :)

The SM40 is definitely what I would like to start off with. I also like the idea of being able to remove the filter and use it on a larger scope.

Thanks. :thumbsup:

[HCR32]

I was looking into solar scopes my self and had the oppertunity to use a pst and honestly I wasnt impressed at all. http://www.spaceweather.com/ this site has an update on solar activity its pretty much what you will see with a 15mm E.P in a pst. You really need to spend the dollars to get results visually and for me the price is too much. The pst I believe are one of those thing that you will use 10% of the time after the novalty runs out.

[Matty P]

Thanks for your opinion Peter,

Although I have never looked through a solar scope before, I was expecting the views through the PST to be somewhat disappointing. That is why I'm looking at the SolarMax series or maybe even the Lunt solar scopes.

I'll keep looking around. :thumbsup:

[casstony]

Peter, the pst you looked through was either a damaged one or it wasn't tuned. The pst will show very nice prominence detail and mottling across the disc. It does have a reddish background and you can't get good detail over the whole image at once due to design limitations, but the one I had was enjoyable just the same.

[Merlin66]

Just have a look at what Jan is achieving with a stock standard PST!!

http://www.thefirmament.nl/astro/main_screen.html?http://www.thefirmament.nl/astro/recent.html&2

Focus and tuning are critical elements of success

[HCR32]

images are post processing not at the eyepiece.

the pst I used was new off a display.

[seeker372011]

I am personally very happy with my PST. Any images I have managed with it are inferior to what I can see at the eyepiece-the exact opposite of every other scope I own where I can see far less than images can capture//that may be a reflection of my solar imaging skills

I have had mine for a while and use it regularly visually -well at least on all clear weeknds as I cant use it during the week. Not bored with at all.just my 2 c as a PST owner

[DaveM]

Hi Matt,
I think it is a fair comment to say that what you see in the images is not the same as at the eyepiece, as is the case with other astrophotography. This is not to say that you can't see plenty of interesting solar features at the eyepiece, however. For me, the PST seems to be best at prominences given its bandwidth. A Solarmax 40 will do a better job at surface features, but the 40mm aperture will limit your viewing to some degree. The new Lunt scopes coming out seem to do a pretty good job based on the balance of reviews, though the waitlist is long. You might be able to get a slightly larger aperture for your money with the Lunt. I have found the view through a 70mm scope to be great (when there is some action on the sun).

The main drawcard for me is that the view is different every day, which differs from your nighhttime viewing. If you have a simple mount setup for visual use, you can grab a quick look almost every day with a minimum of fuss. I would strongly recommend having a look through a scope first though (on a day where there is something to see). If prominences and active regions don't do it for you, then it is a lot of money to spend on a scope that can only look at one thing. I would offer to let you have a view through my scope, but I have moved from Canberra to Oman...

Cheers,
David