Solarmax 40 H Alpha Filter

Astrobserver99 (Rob) · #1 24-02-2011, 02:33 PM

I had a look at some new solarmax 40 h alpha filters on a telescope this morning. They give the sun a red tint. What are Meade/Coronado doing with them?

casstony · #2 24-02-2011, 02:46 PM

If you're seeing a red tint on the Sun but with plenty of detail and a black background, that's probably ok. I trust Lunt more than Meade as far as Ha scopes go though.

Astrobserver99 (Rob) · #3 24-02-2011, 03:03 PM

No detail on the surface at all. Looks like a low cost solar prominance filter being marketed as a solar hydrogen alpha filter.

casstony · #4 24-02-2011, 03:26 PM

It should should show some detail on the disc, spicules around the limb and prominences with fine detail within the proms. I assume you're familiar with Ha filters and the unit was tuned?

sheeny (Al) · #5 24-02-2011, 04:36 PM

A couple of questions Rob:

Was the filter fitted with a Tmax tuner? The Tmax looks like a hinged adapter for the filter with a little brass wheel on one side to tilt the Ha filter. If you didn't have that, then the Ha filter isn't tuned so that may explain why you're seeing no detail.

Did you use a blocking filter as well? I hope so. It is not safe to view the sun through the Ha filter alone. The blocking filter, may replace the diagonal or may look like a barlow depending on the type.

The other reason you may see no detail of course is if the scope is not focussed.

Al.

Merlin66 (Ken) · #6 24-02-2011, 11:06 PM

Somethings not right....
If the SM40/BF is tuned correctly you will DEFINATELY see lots of Ha surface detail and any proms currently visible.
I used one on an ED80 for a while before upgrading to the SM60.
Can you give some details of your set-up and how you "tune" the filter.

MikeyB (Michael) · #7 25-02-2011, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astrobserver99

No detail on the surface at all. Looks like a low cost solar prominance filter being marketed as a solar hydrogen alpha filter.

There's no such animal as a "low cost solar prominance filter", Rob. If you're seeing prominences at all, then it is most definitely a hydrogen alpha filter, none of which are cheap.

As others have said, this sounds like a case of failure to tune the filter correctly or (heaven forbid), lack of the requisite blocking filter.

Astrobserver99 (Rob) · #8 25-02-2011, 07:11 AM

A nebula filter was left on the eyepiece

Merlin66 (Ken) · #9 25-02-2011, 07:56 AM

Well at least now you know the nebula filter passes some Ha!!!