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Coronado PST
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 2:14 pm
by LDW47
I have been looking at solar viewing for a while now, I finally bought a Coronado PST last week ! So now are there any helpful tips, pointers if you will, that I should know about this section of this great hobby ? I also just ordered 2 books, Solar Astronomy Handbook and Solar Observers Handbook ( A Guide to Beguinners ) which is from the Royal Astronomical Society here in Canada. Any info and advice would be appreciated ! Clear advisable skize !
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 2:41 pm
by Ylem
I have been looking to buy one of those also
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 3:19 pm
by LDW47
I bought mine from B&H for $549 + free ship to Canada ! Clear great skize !
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 4:41 pm
by Star Dad
I would suggest buying a zoom lens. It is relatively inexpensive. I got a Celestron 9mm-23mm (I think) it makes it a bit easier to use the scope. I don't have any low power 1.25 inch lenses (I use 2" 40,30,and 9mm in my main scope). I really enjoy the zoom on the PST.
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 5:39 pm
by Ylem
Can you really see much with it?
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 5:53 pm
by Greenman
I always view in white light, being able to see the Corona would be cool. I got the impression the PST was a bit limited. I would be keen to see some images
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 7:37 pm
by LDW47
Star Dad wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2020 4:41 pm
I would suggest buying a zoom lens. It is relatively inexpensive. I got a Celestron 9mm-23mm (I think) it makes it a bit easier to use the scope. I don't have any low power 1.25 inch lenses (I use 2" 40,30,and 9mm in my main scope). I really enjoy the zoom on the PST.
I have the older Meade zoom, plus all kinds of eps !
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 7:39 pm
by LDW47
Greenman wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2020 5:53 pm
I always view in white light, being able to see the Corona would be cool. I got the impression the PST was a bit limited. I would be keen to see some images
Maybe some one else can fill you in on a comparison between the PST and white lite !
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 8:12 pm
by Greenman
LDW47 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2020 7:39 pm
Greenman wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2020 5:53 pm
I always view in white light, being able to see the Corona would be cool. I got the impression the PST was a bit limited. I would be keen to see some images
Maybe some one else can fill you in on a comparison between the PST and white lite !
No, sorry I was not clear enough, it was a comparison from the PST and it's larger brother the 0.5a one. There's a big difference in price, I would not be able to qualify £1600, over the PST at around £600. All I would like to see is some images from the hands of another amateur. I'm wary of promo images.
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 9:59 pm
by Tillibobs
There are many images in the old forum. look for the earliest dates.
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 12:38 am
by Solsearcher
Congratulations on your new purchase , and that was a great price especially if it was Can $ The PST is an excellent entry level Ha solar scope and the view will be very similar to the ad images . Imaging is possible but it is better suited for viewing . Although an entry level scope there are reputable and safe modifications that can be done to a PST to enhance it's performance and make it more imaging friendly . I must add here to never attempt ANY type of change or mod to your scope unless you are 100% sure that what you are doing is proven to be safe . For now just enjoy the view , the show is about to begin !
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 1:17 am
by LDW47
Solsearcher wrote: ↑Sat Jun 13, 2020 12:38 am
Congratulations on your new purchase , and that was a great price especially if it was Can $ The PST is an excellent entry level Ha solar scope and the view will be very similar to the ad images . Imaging is possible but it is better suited for viewing . Although an entry level scope there are reputable and safe modifications that can be done to a PST to enhance it's performance and make it more imaging friendly . I must add here to never attempt ANY type of change or mod to your scope unless you are 100% sure that what you are doing is proven to be safe . For now just enjoy the view , the show is about to begin !
I got the scope on Tues.and its been cloudy ever since, lol ! Tomorrow is the day, I think !
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 3:10 pm
by Lady Fraktor
Congratulations on the purchase of the PST.
I enjoyed using mine quite a bit.
The most used eyepieces for me were a Vixen LV 10mm and Vixen zoom as well as a 2x barlow occasionally.
Some very nice Ha views and I had it mounted on my C6-R using a 50mm finder bracket so I could view Ha and white light with the Herschel wedge.
You will find the views more red than orange though.
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 7:23 pm
by Star Dad
I was able to catch the Mercury transit last spring on the PST. I've seen Ellerman bombs, flares, and sunspots. It does a pretty good job for such a small aperture refractor. It is my most expensive scope (not counting any of the mounts).
Oh, yeah - and very much RED! Like a meatball. It is somewhat tricky to get your eyeball in the proper position to see the sun. I've had many people struggle with it and some - kids especially - give up.
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 12:58 am
by LDW47
I tried my PST this pm for the first go and it performed great and by luck or ..... there were a steady flow of prominences at about the 10 o'clock position mainly. I am not a finder scope guy, I don’t use them but I am impressed with the way the PST’s works and how easy it is to use, it doesn’t take much trying. My Russell Optics 15mm Konig worked excellent as well as the 18mm Coronado that came with it.
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 1:02 am
by LDW47
The next big ? is, should I be looking / considering in the future a white light filter to compliment the ha ? If so wood 80-100mm be a suitable size and what is considered a good brand ?
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 1:37 am
by Solsearcher
Most W/L filters mount to the front of your scope and the mounting will be aperture specific . My preference is a Herschel wedge , they can be used in pretty well any refractor . their limitations are that they can not be used in reflectors
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 2:16 am
by LDW47
Solsearcher wrote: ↑Sun Jun 14, 2020 1:37 am
Most W/L filters mount to the front of your scope and the mounting will be aperture specific . My preference is a Herschel wedge , they can be used in pretty well any refractor . their limitations are that they can not be used in reflectors
I have 8 refractors of various sizes but I would like to use it in either my 80mm Equinox, f 6.25 or my 102mm Antares, f 6.4 or I might buy one for each as my 102 stays at my remote camp. I have a 150mm
dob at my camp but I won’t use it for solar. Other than versatility what other advantages does the Herschel have ?
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 2:46 am
by Solsearcher
It is small enough to fit into your pocket and it would be able to be used in any of your refractors . Also available in a 2" model
https://www.astronomics.com/lunt-1-25-s ... ctors.html
Re: Coronado PST
Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 4:18 am
by notFritzArgelander
I use a Herschel wedge for white light solar since IMO it gives better image contrast.
With the wedge I also use a Baader solar continuum filter and a variable polarizing filter as a "dimmer switch". Both behind the wedge in the optical path.