The SolarMax II telescopes for observing the sun in H-alpha light are among the best-selling solar telescopes for advanced observers.
They feature a high-quality etalon from Coronado that filters out the spectral line of solar hydrogen known as H-alpha. In the light of the excited hydrogen, the sun's chromosphere becomes visible, where there is always something to see: filaments, flares and other phenomena on the solar disc and prominences at the edge of the sun.
The Solarmax II telescopes feature Coronado's patented RichView system, which allows the filter etalon to be adjusted precisely with ease. For an even higher-contrast image, the SolarMax II can also be equipped with a second etalon.
The SolarMax II comes with tube clamps, a solar finder, an eyepiece and a transport case.
RichView tuning: The H-alpha filter is a so-called etalon. In the etalon, destructive interference of the incident light extinguishes most of the radiation in the visible spectral range. Only the desired wavelength of around 656 nanometres passes through. For this to work, the width of the etalon must be precisely adjusted and readjusted during observation. The RichView tuning system makes this adjustment particularly easy.
Double stack: Every SolarMax telescope also comes with double stack. This means that two etalon filters are fitted one behind the other. This reduces the half width of the light which passes through the H-alpha line to less than 0.5 Angstroms. Without double stack, the half width is less than 0.7 Angstroms. The half width is provided in the product name and in the telescope's technical information.
The smaller half width results in higher contrast. The Sun’s structures appear three-dimensional. The image is also darker and needs to be finely readjusted using the tuning system due to the filter’s smaller half width.
BF blocking filter: The deflection optics with the eyepiece receiver also accommodate the blocking filter. This filter reduces the brightness of the solar image and is therefore a very important part of the solar telescope, and which must under no circumstances be removed! For purely visual observing, a small blocking filter is sufficient, but for photography a larger one should be selected.
Sol Ranger: Pointing a telescope at the sun is more difficult than you may think and can often involve involuntary glimpses of the sun with unprotected eyes! The Sol Ranger finder scope is a special solar finder that uses a ground glass screen. This allows you to point your telescope at the sun easily, safely and quickly.
Delivery includes a Cemax eyepiece. The eyepieces of this series are specially optimized for observation in H-alpha. The optimization applies to the remuneration. The eyepieces have no 'filtering effect' and can therefore also be used at night.
It not only matters which telescope you buy but also where you buy it. Our additional services:
- We are a leading telescope dealer and know the devices we sell. Our customer service team will gladly help you after your purchase if you have problems with assembly or operation.
- We provide a copy of the 80-page Telescope ABC beginners handbook with every telescope.
