I am considering buying a Coronado PST for viewing the Sun. I am also interested in imaging the Sun as well. So I want to be able to do both. Because the PST is so small I am a bit unsure of what exactly I will be able to see through the PST. I don't want to buy something that will only be used once and be put in the corner collecting dust.
Are they worth the price?
Would I be able to use my DMK to image the Sun?
Would I be better off just buying a solar filter for my C8?
A solar filter for a C8 and a PST are two entirely different kettle of fish(es). A standard solar filter only views in white light (albeit some produce coloured views ) and you will only see sunspots and transits, while the PST shows Hά so you will see prominences, flares, sunspots, plaque, filaments etc. All the really interesting stuff. They are great fun both for observing and imaging, especially with a DMK mono so you can do some false colour work with the image. Check out the Solar System forum for PST images.
I made a solar filter for my C8 using the Baader astrosolar safety film. To get a sheet of the film was of similar cost to getting a solar filter made with the same material.
The view is white and very clear. I only ever use it to watch events that involve viewing the Sun like the transits of Venus and Mercury and the upcoming partial solar eclipse.
There is so much material left over that I have a ready supply to cover binoculars and finders. For the transits of Venus and Mercury I put a small piece of the film over the finder with a rubber band.
The film filters are a lot cheaper than a PST and are worth having anyway to observe/image these events with more of your equipment.
I did a search and I found some amazing pics of the Sun taken with a PST. I really want one now! I am a bit worried about how small the PST is, only 40mm of aperture. A little bit small for my likings.
Paul, I see that you use a PST and a DMK to create a false colour image. How is this done?
I might also get some Baader astrosolar safety film for my C8 aswell.
I did a search and I found some amazing pics of the Sun taken with a PST. I really want one now! I am a bit worried about how small the PST is, only 40mm of aperture. A little bit small for my likings.
I may not be right here, but you generally want aperture to capture light. The Sun's apparent magnitude is -26.7. I think a pinhole would capture enough light
Edit: Or an I missing something in terms of resolution obtainable? I do recall reading the larger the aperture, the more of the daytime's natural bad seeing that you capture - hence the use of off-axis small aperture solar filters for reflectors.
If you are after more aperture than a PST (which actually does a pretty good job, even with 40 mm), there is a new company starting up called Lunt Solar Systems http://www.luntsolarsystems.com/ It looks as if you could get a 60mm scope (without a central obstruction) for about US$900, which is very good by Hydrogen alpha standards.
It is worth going to a dealer or club member who has a PST to see if it is what you are after. As with all things astronomical, the images taken with these instruments are much more contrasty and detailed than the view through the eyepiece.
I just noticed that you are from Canberra. There are 2 or 3 people at the Canberra Astronomical Society who have a PST and might be willing to show you, and I have a 70 mm H-a scope you could have a look through if you wanted. I am just getting set up for imaging with a DMK21 myself...
I got my PST a few months ago. The views are spectacular and with the sun changing everyday, its quite exciting. But keep in mind two facts:
1) we Are in solar minimum! Not much activity for some years
2) The ha images which you see on the net are somewhat different to what you see through the scope. Those images have been modified!
I got my PST a few months ago. The views are spectacular and with the sun changing everyday, its quite exciting. But keep in mind two facts:
1) we Are in solar minimum! Not much activity for some years
2) The ha images which you see on the net are somewhat different to what you see through the scope. Those images have been modified!
But other than that, its a fantastic instrument!
Actually this is strictly not correct.
Yes the sun is in minimum but there are still lovely proms visible and every now and again there is some fantastic sunspots.
I have attached an image of a recent one at high mag, as well as some images from my PST. When you are imaging you can see the detail that you get in the image. You cannot modify the image to get detail. It has to be there first. We simply sharpen them and then false colour them by using colour balance in PS. In terms of views, large sunspots really show up really well. A double stack filter (SM40) on a PST will give a dimmer image but will also give more contrast. For Ha viewing the lower the Angstrom number the better. So a PST is a 0.7A instrument. When you add a double stack filter it effectively gives you a 0.6-0.5A instrument. For the aperture this scope is a gem. It costs very little (shop around there are some people still charging too much) and is worth the money. Of course if you happen to get the chance to look through one, I advise taking the opportunity. Ha view does take about 3 months to hone your eye as it is a little different from DSO and planetary viewing. It is very addictive too.
It will give you a taste before you get sucked right into Ha viewing and imaging. The solar section at CN is also very good, plenty of images there to see. You will need to cut down the nose cone of the DMK to image with the PST. Reaching focus will be quite hard otherwise. Also I found that only powermates worked with the PST and standard barlows will not not reach focus.
I don't understand what is "strictly not correct" about my comments?
We are in solar minimum and although the sun is always a pleasure to look at, its not as active as it will be in a few years from now.
When i look though my PST i don't see the detail that most images on the net show. I clearly see prominences and some surface detail but not with the contrast shown in the images you posted.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rumples riot
Actually this is strictly not correct.
Yes the sun is in minimum but there are still lovely proms visible and every now and again there is some fantastic sunspots.
I have attached an image of a recent one at high mag, as well as some images from my PST. When you are imaging you can see the detail that you get in the image. You cannot modify the image to get detail. It has to be there first. We simply sharpen them and then false colour them by using colour balance in PS. In terms of views, large sunspots really show up really well. A double stack filter (SM40) on a PST will give a dimmer image but will also give more contrast. For Ha viewing the lower the Angstrom number the better. So a PST is a 0.7A instrument. When you add a double stack filter it effectively gives you a 0.6-0.5A instrument. For the aperture this scope is a gem. It costs very little (shop around there are some people still charging too much) and is worth the money. Of course if you happen to get the chance to look through one, I advise taking the opportunity. Ha view does take about 3 months to hone your eye as it is a little different from DSO and planetary viewing. It is very addictive too.
It will give you a taste before you get sucked right into Ha viewing and imaging. The solar section at CN is also very good, plenty of images there to see. You will need to cut down the nose cone of the DMK to image with the PST. Reaching focus will be quite hard otherwise. Also I found that only powermates worked with the PST and standard barlows will not not reach focus.
Other than the "rust" problems with some older models ( see my earlier thread!) this is a great little scope. I use mine, clouds permitting, with a 10mm Plossl eyepiece and get fantastic views. I agree, it takes a bit of time to "practise" seeing the Ha detail, but well worth the investment.
The PST is a great little scope! I say that even though mine is currently away at the factory getting the "rust problem" fixed.
By all means have a look through one first if you can, and have a read here: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.p...41,320,0,0,1,0
At the bottom of the review I did a little sheet of calculations relating to the PST if you are concerned about resolution.
In terms of bang for your buck, the PST can't be beat!
Maksutover, yes we are in minimum, but every day there is plenty to see and nearly twice a month we have sunspots to view.
Also the images you see look exactly like this when viewing only smaller. You just have to train your eye. We don't modify them as you put it. We are stacking frames and then sharpening only. We colourise them with PS but that is it. You can see all this when imaging. Like I said it takes some time to get your eye in for the contrast.
BTW the first image I posted is taken with my solarmax60. The image scale is obviously bigger due to the scope's ability to resolve.
Buying solar scopes from OS is hard, because to of the trade deals that are present here in Australia. It can be done, but many of the larger telescope dealers have them. If you want to wait a while but get it cheaper you can contact Matthew Lovell at Telescopes and Astronomy. He is usually about 100 dollars cheaper.
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) and you will only see sunspots and transits, while the PST shows Hά so you will see prominences, flares, sunspots, plaque, filaments etc. All the really interesting stuff. They are great fun both for observing and imaging, especially with a DMK mono so you can do some false colour work with the image. Check out the Solar System forum for PST images.
