Viewing the sun

[Vonnegutrules]

I had my first look through an H-alpha scope while up in Queensland for the eclipse. It was a modest one, but good enough to get me wanting one for the coming year of increased solar activity. My regular scope is a Maksutov Cassegrain. Would I save myself a lot of money by just getting a solar filter for that? Any advice?

[lepton3]

Hi Catherine,

A full aperture solar filter for your Mak-Cass would be cost effective, but it is not the same view as H-alpha. Look in the images sections of this board for "White Light" solar images to see what the view would be like. There can be very detailed views of sunspots, surface granulation, and faculae, but you can't see prominences with this type of filter.

The H-alpha etalon filter is a different beast. It is a very expensive piece of precision kit, but it's the only way to see prominences and swirling on the surface. I doubt you could get one large enough for your Mak-Cass. You probably need to get a 40mm to 90mm refractor. For example, Meade and Lunt make H-alpha scopes in this aperture range.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

-Ivan

[Poita]

As Ivan said, H-alpha filters are as expensive as an entire H-alpha scope.

You would be better off getting a Lunt or Coronado scope.

The PST is okay, but is really a gateway drug, you will be wanting a Lunt60 or something before long...

[cometcatcher]

I've not seen through a Ha scope yet, but going from the pics I've seen taken through them, while the surface detail and prominences are impressive, they don't seem to show the actual spots as clearly as a white light filter.

If you want very sharp views of the spots, some granulation and faculae, a full aperture glass solar filter for your scope would be a good start. Considerably cheaper than Ha instruments.

[Allan_L]

Hi Catherine
and Welcome to IIS :welcome:

From my experience, there really is no comparison.
The white filter will be cheaper, and you will see the sun spots...
But to see the prominences dance around the solar body, and watch the swirling grainy surface, it really is something else.
Even through a "modest" PST.

There are a number of Ha scopes for sale at the moment.
Keep an eye on IIS Classifieds for a bargain.
Good Luck with it. But be quick.
I listed my modest PST yesterday morning and it was gone by 7am.

Regards ;)
Allan

[louisthe2nd]

Hi Catherine,
I was in a similar position to yourself a while ago.... I had a glass full aperture filter for my ETX 125 and was most impressed, however my 60mm H Alpha Lunt scope offers another world of viewing. Being pressure tuned it enables the viewer to alter the view from sunspots to proms to a bit of both.
They are not cheap though....
I have recently purchased the 80mm model so my 60mm is up for grabs...
Good luck!

[Paddy]

Hi Catherine,

If you can afford it Ha is the way to go. A PST even at 1 angstrom will be a lot more interesting than a white light filter for your Mak. However if you can stretch your budget to a filter or scope that will do .7 or .5 that will be even better. I love my lunt 50mm Ha that goes on an ed 80 and have the benefit of being able to use the scope for other things (not that I do...) but setting up a dedicated solar scope is quicker and they are more compact and transportable.

The great thing about Ha solar viewing is that you can keep observing the sun all day and it constantly changes.

[brian nordstrom]

;) Bang on Paddy , the sun is so dynamic , it can change in 1/4 an hour So alive ! .
Brian.