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Solar h-alpha: dedicated scope, or attached filter?
Which is a 'better deal' for solar h-alpha: Purchase a dedicated solar
telescope, or get a filter and attach it to an existing refractor? George N |
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Solar h-alpha: dedicated scope, or attached filter?
"George Normandin" wrote in message ... Which is a 'better deal' for solar h-alpha: Purchase a dedicated solar telescope, or get a filter and attach it to an existing refractor? Depends on your bank account. Get a PST or SolarMax. Dont bother with prominence filters. |
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Solar h-alpha: dedicated scope, or attached filter?
On Oct 22, 5:17*pm, "George Normandin"
wrote: Which is a 'better deal' for solar h-alpha: Purchase a dedicated solar telescope, or get a filter and attach it to an existing refractor? George N Could someone discuss the options versus cost....I too would like to do h-alpha. Thanks |
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Solar h-alpha: dedicated scope, or attached filter?
"Too_Many_Tools" wrote On Oct 22, 5:17 pm, "George Normandin" wrote: Which is a 'better deal' for solar h-alpha: Purchase a dedicated solar telescope, or get a filter and attach it to an existing refractor? George N Could someone discuss the options versus cost....I too would like to do h-alpha. ------ Cost is of course one consideration, but so is the fact that a solar scope can only be used to observe the sun, while a filtered scope is just a normal scope when the filter comes off. What I'm interested in is which provides the superior performance, filter + scope, or dedicated solar scope. Until I know that I'm not sure how to factor in cost and non-use versus use as a "normal" telescope. George N |
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Solar h-alpha: dedicated scope, or attached filter?
"Michael Tee" wrote ... "George Normandin" wrote in message ... Which is a 'better deal' for solar h-alpha: Purchase a dedicated solar telescope, or get a filter and attach it to an existing refractor? Depends on your bank account. Get a PST or SolarMax. Dont bother with prominence filters. I have a PST (and a bank account)!! However, the PST started with 'rust disease' at about 14 months old, and Meade wants at least $120 in shipping & repair costs to fix it - not to mention that it's taking them 4 to 6 months to fix PSTs. At this point I'm ready to move up in solar observing gear thanks to recently retiring (lots of sunny days now available). Based on my recent experience, I'm not all of that interested in sticking with Meade/Coronado, but I may. The PST did provide a lot of fun when it was OK and I often took it and a small tripod to work to observe at lunch. It's too bad that so many of them have the rust problem. George N |
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Solar h-alpha: dedicated scope, or attached filter?
I have a PST and thanks for the heads up about rust. YEOW ! I have had it
for about 10 months and this is the first I have heard about rust issues. I have a PST (and a bank account)!! However, the PST started with 'rust disease' at about 14 months old, and Meade wants at least $120 in shipping & repair costs to fix it - not to mention that it's taking them 4 to 6 months to fix PSTs. At this point I'm ready to move up in solar observing gear thanks to recently retiring (lots of sunny days now available). Based on my recent experience, I'm not all of that interested in sticking with Meade/Coronado, but I may. The PST did provide a lot of fun when it was OK and I often took it and a small tripod to work to observe at lunch. It's too bad that so many of them have the rust problem. George N |
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Solar h-alpha: dedicated scope, or attached filter?
On Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:58:05 GMT, "George Normandin"
wrote: Cost is of course one consideration, but so is the fact that a solar scope can only be used to observe the sun, while a filtered scope is just a normal scope when the filter comes off. What I'm interested in is which provides the superior performance, filter + scope, or dedicated solar scope. Until I know that I'm not sure how to factor in cost and non-use versus use as a "normal" telescope. You can check prices of filters on the websites of mail order astronomy equipment dealers. The add-on filters offer better performance than the PST. It is much easier to do photography with filters. Bud |
#8
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Solar h-alpha: dedicated scope, or attached filter?
George Normandin wrote:
"Too_Many_Tools" wrote On Oct 22, 5:17 pm, "George Normandin" wrote: Which is a 'better deal' for solar h-alpha: Purchase a dedicated solar telescope, or get a filter and attach it to an existing refractor? George N Could someone discuss the options versus cost....I too would like to do h-alpha. ------ Cost is of course one consideration, but so is the fact that a solar scope can only be used to observe the sun, while a filtered scope is just a normal scope when the filter comes off. What I'm interested in is which provides the superior performance, filter + scope, or dedicated solar scope. Until I know that I'm not sure how to factor in cost and non-use versus use as a "normal" telescope. George N Hi everyone ! One thing that bugs me about these dedicated scopes is the lack of magnification. The one's I've seen are short focal length scopes. If you want to study sunspots and other fine details on the Sun, wouldn't it make more sense to have a long focal length telescope? Yes, I know it's a compromise; shorter focal lengths are needed for an overall view, but you need longer focal lengths for closer views. I always thought it was better to have the magnification in the telescope, rather than the eyepieces, for a good closeup view. --- Dave |
#9
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Solar h-alpha: dedicated scope, or attached filter?
Oh...if you have the money and a good refractor of at least F10 buy a
daystar filter. They are quite expensive but offer views that put dedicated Coronados to shame. You can check prices of filters on the websites of mail order astronomy equipment dealers. The add-on filters offer better performance than the PST. It is much easier to do photography with filters. Bud |
#10
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Solar h-alpha: dedicated scope, or attached filter?
On 23 Οκτ, 00:17, "George Normandin"
wrote: Which is a 'better deal' for solar h-alpha: Purchase a dedicated solar telescope, or get a filter and attach it to an existing refractor? George N My problem with a dedicated scope is the fact that the OTA is strictly for exclusive use (ie. solar) and cannot be used for anything else. In contrast, with a filter which can be attached, one can use the same scope during the evening for other work. Anthony. |
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