Sky Watcher 70/500 SolarQuest Solar Scope with Heliofind Mount

We’ve just made solar observation easier for you!

Introducing Sky-Watcher’s innovative and revolutionary solar telescope.

Enjoy a fun family astronomy trip in the comfort of daylight. Pointing the 70 Refractor SolarQuest towards the sun in one go can be difficult and trying to find the sun in the sky using the tiny blacked out view of a scope is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Keep it simple and let the SolarQuest on Heliofind Mount do it for you.

SolarQuest is a very user-friendly and safe solution for observing the sun. Using Sky-Watcher’s revolutionary technology; the Heliofind mount can be easily operated by anyone in the family. With just a push of a button the mount and SolarQuest will start slewing clockwise in the azimuth direction to search for the sun. If the tripod is moved by accident, users can easily start again and the SolarQuest will quickly find the sun.

This is great set up for beginners to observe sunspots, eclipses and the transit of inner planets.

• a 70mm f/7 – 500 Focal length refractor Solar Scope
• HelioFind Solar Tracking Mount
• Tripod
• Standard Eye Piece

WARNING:
The SolarQuest mount is designed to work with the attached solar telescopes ONLY. Do not point other types of optical device at the sun; looking directly at the sun without a certified filter will cause immediate and irreversible damage to the eyes or instrument.

Solar Maximum is now happening - it's the perfect time to explore the ever changing featured on our nearest star.

The Sky-Watcher Heliostar 76Hα is a specialized prominence telescope designed with advanced safety features to protect the observer’s eyes. It incorporates multiple technologies, including an infrared thermal reflection film to effectively block heat and a dedicated ultraviolet (UV) filter to eliminate harmful rays. These features work in tandem to minimize stray light, ensuring a safe and enhanced viewing experience.

The Sky-Watcher Heliostar 76Hα is a specialized solar telescope designed for enthusiasts eager to explore the Sun’s dynamic features, particularly solar prominences. With a 76mm aperture and a focal length of 630mm (f/8.3), it offers a balanced combination of portability and detailed solar observation.

Key Features:

• Hydrogen-Alpha Observation: The  Heliostar 76Hα utilizes a combination of front and rear filters to isolate the hydrogen-alpha wavelength at 656.28 nanometers. This narrowband filtering, with a bandwidth of less than 0.5 angstroms, enables observers to view solar prominences and surface details with exceptional clarity.
• Advanced Optical Design: Incorporating multiple technologies to protect the observer’s eye, the telescope features a thermal infrared reflection film, a special heat-blocking filter, and an ultraviolet light-blocking filter. These components work together to eliminate stray light and ensure safe solar viewing.
• Precision Focusing: Equipped with a 2-inch Crayford focuser, the  Heliostar 76Hα allows for smooth and precise focusing adjustments, enhancing the overall observing experience.

The  Sky-Watcher Heliostar 76Hα is an excellent choice for both novice and experienced solar observers, offering a safe and detailed view of the Sun’s dynamic phenomena.

Etalon Filter Technology

At the heart of most Hydrogen Alpha solar telescopes lies the etalon filter, a highly precise optical device that isolates the Hα wavelength from the rest of the Sun’s emitted light. An etalon is a type of interferometer, consisting of two parallel mirrors separated by a precise distance. The etalon works by reflecting light multiple times between the mirrors, selectively allowing only wavelengths that satisfy specific resonance conditions to pass through.

In the case of Hα solar telescopes, the etalon is designed to transmit light at the Hα wavelength while blocking all other wavelengths. The key to the etalon’s performance lies in its ability to tune the wavelength it transmits. This is achieved by adjusting the distance between the mirrors or by slightly tilting the etalon, which changes the interference conditions. This tunability is crucial because the Sun's emission at Hα can shift slightly due to Doppler effects as material moves across the Sun’s surface and atmosphere.

There are two primary types of etalon filters used in solar telescopes: single etalon and double etalon systems.

Single Etalon: A single etalon filter typically has a narrower bandwidth, providing high contrast for detailed solar observations but at the cost of limiting the field of view. This makes single etalon systems well-suited for viewing small, high-contrast features like prominences or filaments.

Double Etalon: A double etalon system uses two etalon filters in tandem to improve the wavelength selectivity, reduce the overall bandwidth, and enhance the contrast and image clarity across a wider field of view. Double etalon systems are preferred for more detailed solar studies because they can offer both a sharper image and better tunability, allowing for a more accurate depiction of solar dynamics.

Solis Etalon Technology: Sky-Watcher's Solis technology allows the Heliostar to achieve a 0.5A bandpass without the costly expense and complexity of a second etalon to achieve the same performance. This allows the observer to obtain detailed images of the solar disk right out of the box without any further expense. 

Trifid Tuner: Inside the Heliostar is Sky-Watcher's Trifid tuning system. This tuner applies physical pressure to the etalon plates allowing the observer to reach the desired Hydrogen-band. The Trifid tuner uses three support veins to provide a secure tuning for the etalon. 

What does Hα mean?

The Sun is mainly composed of hydrogen which it's been busily converting to helium for billions of years and will do for some billions of years to come. Hydrogen gas is energised by the Sun's radiation and emits light on certain wavelength. Hα refers to where one of these wavelengths. 

Viewing the Sun through the Heliostar 76Hα lets you discover the Solar chromosphere which is the outer layer of the Sun's atmosphere in great details.

Rather than looking at the Sun in the intense white light we see with our eyes or via a regular solar filter which reduces the overall intensity of the Sun's light so it can be safely viewed with a telescope, a dedicated Solar telescope reveals such details as prominences on the edge of the Sun's disks,  filaments, sunspots and more. 

As the Sun is such a dynamic environment, what you'll see through this telescope will change from day to day.

Specifications

New Solar Telescope

• Telescope Focal Length: 400mm (f/10)
• Crayford Focuser (Rotatable)
• 45mm Dovetail Bar with 1/4-20 tripod threads (side mounted)
• Supplied with Universal Smartphone Adaptor

The Acuter Elite Phoenix 40 Solar Telescope is a Solar H-Alpha telescope for narrow-band observation and photography of the Sun. This instrument makes it possible to explore extraordinary solar surface dynamics that go far beyond what a white light solar filter can show.

Phenomena such as solar protuberances, active spots, flares, granulations, plasma filaments and more finally become observable and photographable with excellent sharpness and resolution. Hydrogen Alpha (Ha) solar telescopes are specialized instruments for observing the Sun at a specific wavelength of light, 656.3 nm, corresponding to the red line of the Balmer series in the hydrogen emission spectrum. This wavelength is critical for studying solar phenomena such as protuberances, filaments, sunspots and flares.

Unlike standard white-light telescopes, which capture the full solar spectrum, Ha telescopes offer a specific window into the activities of the chromosphere, the layer of the solar atmosphere located just above the photosphere. Compact and Portable: The metal optical tube makes the Acuter Phoenix 40mm solar telescope ideal for travel, while the rugged design ensures uncompromising durability.

Perfect for experienced observers and enthusiasts who wish to explore and admire the Sun’s surface in detail. Perfect for astrophotography enthusiasts and observers of the Sun.

ISO Certified Safety: This telescope complies with ISO 12312-2:2015, ensuring maximum protection for the eye during solar observation.

When viewing the Sun in the narrow H-alpha bandwidth, the observer is rewarded with thrilling, awe-inspiring real-time views of our nearest star in it’s full fiery majesty, seething with activity, revealing exciting details such as solar flares, prominences, spicules, surface granularity & sun spots

Supplied with a universal smartphone camera adaptor to take photos using your smartphone to keep a photographic record of your observations. Also supplied with a regular Star Diagonal & Red Dot Finder – the telescope can be used for normal astronomical observations as an 80/400 achromatic refractor telescope with the etalon removed

• Suitable for CCD cameras with 1.25″ adaptor and backfocus of 55mm or less
• Sky-Watcher SolarQuest Solar Go-To/Tracking Mount Recommended
• Safety Compliance Certification: ISO12312-2:2015
• OTA Length: 412mm
• OTA Weight: 2kg
• Magnifications (with eyepiece supplied): x25-x80
• Eyepiece Supplied (1.25″): 5-16mm Zoom
• Telescope Focal Length: 400mm (f/10)
• Front Etalon: Diameter: 40mm, Bandwidth: <0.6 Angstrom
• Tuning method: Pressure tuning
• Exit opening 8mm
• 8mm Block Filter
• 90° (1.25″) Diagonal (Rotatable)
• Safe Solar Finder
• Crayford Focuser (Rotatable)
• 45mm Dovetail Bar with 1/4-20 tripod threads (side mounted)
• Supplied with Universal Smartphone Adaptor
  
  

Lunt LS60MT Observer Package

The LUNT Solar LS60MT is the smallest and most portable of the new line of modular telescopes. You can enjoy this new versatile 60mm telescope with its new ED Doublet Lens in all our available wavelengths, for a true grab and go scope that will deliver excellent views in all its configurations. The LS60MT Telescope provides stellar Solar Viewing in its default configuration with provided Hydrogen Alpha Module, it’s 60mm aperture allowing the viewer to gaze at the sun with an unobstructed clarity that is unparalleled in the industry. Explore the intricacies and features present on the sun with amazing detail utilizing our doppler true tuning pressure system; this will allow the viewer to change their view of the sun with the finest of adjustments, by simply adjusting the pressure within the system. With its newly updated optics, you can watch as the features virtually protrude from the sun and see our closest star as you never have before, in all its splendor.

LS60MT Nighttime Telescope

A truly portable powerhouse telescope, the New Lunt Solar Systems LS60MT is certainly the choice for you. Easily configurable, the 60MT will provide the excellent Hydrogen Alpha Viewing Capabilities that Lunt Solar Systems is known for world wide, while giving you the option of continuing your observation with White Light, Terrestrial and Night Time viewing at a 70mm aperture in its nighttime configuration! Explore the majesty of the Sun’s prominences, Filaments and other surface phenomena during the day, and when the Sun finally sets, switch to wandering through our Galaxy at night with minimal effort. The 60MT has been designed with ease in mind, ensuring your transition from daytime to nigh time viewing in mere minutes. Equipped with FPL51 ED Doublet Lens, and an extremely capable 2″ Crayford Focuser, the LS60MT is sure to delight in any configuration! Whether Hydrogen Alpha, White Light, Calcium K, or night time and terrestrial viewing, the 60MT can do it all!

Versatile Telescope

The 60MT in its base configuration, offers the options of hydrogen alpha and night time viewing with minimal accessories needed. The 60MT Observer Package will deliver superb Hydrogen Alpha viewing as expected from a Lunt Telescope and provides you with all the accessories needed to switch between day and night configuration as you see fit. With the Observer Package, you will all the accessories you need to enjoy the Sun in Hydrogen Alpha, and White Light! Once the sun sets, simply switch over to nighttime configuration and let the stars be your guide!

True Doppler Tuning

Importantly, True Doppler Tuning allows for a shift into and away from the user, adding a 3-D like component to the viewing experience. To be sure, it has minimal effect on proms due to their location at the edge of the disk, but it does have an effect on filaments and likewise the active regions on the surface. Also while looking at a filament at the center of the Sun, the user has the ability to Doppler shift from the base of the filament to the tip. In this way following the filament through it’s structure toward you and away from you. Amazingly, this allowing for enhanced visual and imaging capability for the observer as well as a research tool for the avid hobbyist. In addition the pressure tuning system provides an order of magnitude more precision to the tuning of the desired features.

Lunt LS60MT Observer Package Specifications:

• Modular Telescope: LS60MT with B1200 Blocking Filter
• Optical Aperture:
  • 60mm for optimized Hydrogen Alpha Viewing
  • 70mm for Night Time, Calcium K, White Light, Terrestrial
• Etalon: Internal <0.65 Angstrom
• Tuning: Internal Pressure Tune (Doppler True Tuning)
• Focal Length: 420
• F Ratio: F/7
• Lens: ED Doublet, FPL51
• Storage: Aluminum finished hard case with fitted foam
• Weight: 6.6

Lunt Warranty:

To register your product go to Lunt's Product Registration Page! For information on activating your warranty see Warranty Info.

NOTE: If you purchased a LUNT Solar Systems LLC product from a LUNT Solar Systems LLC dealer, and that product is found to be damaged upon receipt, you must contact the LUNT Solar Systems LLC dealer from whom you purchased the product for information on their return policy for product inspection and repair. This includes any and all

international purchases.

This Warranty is extended by LUNT Solar Systems LLC to the original purchaser of the LUNT Solar Systems LLC product. LUNT Solar Systems LLC does not provide warranty service to used or second hand equipment. Lunt Solar Systems LLC warrants its products to be free of manufacturing and workmanship defects under normal use for a period of 5 years from the date of purchase. LUNT Solar Systems LLC will repair or replace such product or part thereof which upon inspection by LUNT Solar Systems LLC, is found to be defective in materials or workmanship.