First Sunspot

[Lady Fraktor]

The Continuum is just a lot of extra money spent.

It depends I guess.
It works great on solar and lunar viewing as well as for startesting telescopes, quite multipurpose.
Everyone has their own requirements and if a Wratten #56-58 works well it is all good in the long run
Thank you for the information.

[mikemarotta]

Baader solar film is really cheap as well; a $50 sheet (CDN so less in the US) ....

Re: First SunspotQuote Lady Fraktor
The Baader film has a much better resolution than the other films.
https://www.baader-planetarium.co.uk/20 ... ar-filter/

I read this today on Cloudy Nights.

Comments?

[mikemarotta]

Lunt website. I assume that the lower price is for the 1.25 inch and the 2-inch is $299.

In any case, the price seems universal regardless of the retailer, but if I were to buy, it would be from Lunt pro se.

[notFritzArgelander]

Lunt website. I assume that the lower price is for the 1.25 inch and the 2-inch is $299.

......

I have the Lunt and it's a fine performer. I prefer the Baader but solar observing is a small fraction of my scope time and in this case cost considerations outweighed technical points. BTW I do use the Baader solar continuum filter and am very pleased with it.

[mikemarotta]

I read this today on Cloudy Nights.

Sorry. It was Stargazers Lounge from First Light Optics (UK).
https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/3312 ... /#comments

[mikemarotta]

. BTW I do use the Baader solar continuum filter and am very pleased with it.

I got the Explore Scientific filters to be used for the 2024 solar eclipses, both of which will cross a point near to me. It's just that when I happened to be in a discussion and Scott Roberts was there, he quipped, "Don't wait until two weeks before the eclipse."

As I said at first, I also am a member of the SPA and I downloaded their sunspot reporting form. I am going to have some free time in July, and I can use the opportunity. I have been out a couple of times since, but it is just not a passion here and now.

I observe at low power (20X = 32mm ploessl with the F=660 102mm). I tried all of the higher magnifications, viewed the circumference and all that, but it was just unexciting: a round disk. The one sunspot was the most interesting part of it so far. I am not going to spend $3000 for an H-alpha (or other) scope. I am in my last earning years. If I were still only 60, it might be different.

[Lady Fraktor]

Baader solar film is really cheap as well; a $50 sheet (CDN so less in the US) ....

Re: First SunspotQuote Lady Fraktor
The Baader film has a much better resolution than the other films.
https://www.baader-planetarium.co.uk/20 ... ar-filter/

I read this today on Cloudy Nights.



Comments?

I have never heard of the film leaking IR or UV, if it was I would be really scared to use any of the other films.
After reading the comments it seems they are discussing imaging not visual.
Imaging uses lower ND filtering than what is required for visual.

[notFritzArgelander]

Baader solar film is really cheap as well; a $50 sheet (CDN so less in the US) ....

Re: First SunspotQuote Lady Fraktor
The Baader film has a much better resolution than the other films.
https://www.baader-planetarium.co.uk/20 ... ar-filter/

I read this today on Cloudy Nights.



Comments?

I have never heard of the film leaking IR or UV, if it was I would be really scared to use any of the other films.
After reading the comments it seems they are discussing imaging not visual.
Imaging uses lower ND filtering than what is required for visual.

Yes. I think that using a film intended for imaging for visual purposes is inviting trouble. This is the first I've heard of Baader solar film leaking. I'm a Herschel wedge person, but I think the Baader filters for visual use are safe.

[Lady Fraktor]

When I started doing white light viewing I began with a glass filter made by 1000 Oaks, poor resolution and a blue image. Definitely not what I wanted! A 80€ waste of money.
The next was 1000 Oaks film, slightly better resolution and orange/ yellow image, at least I was only 20€ poorer at that point.
Baader solar film, much better resolution, a white disk and I used that for quite some time until I could afford the Baader Herschel wedge. Simply outstanding views.
I think it would be interesting to do a head to head comparison of the Baader and the Lunt.

[mikemarotta]

... I began with a glass filter made by 1000 Oaks, ... Baader solar film, much better resolution, a white disk.

Thanks for the summary. That kind of information could have helped before I made my purchases. I will think about the Baader over time. The Explore Scientific cover with Thousand Oaks film does render an orange disk for hte Sun. I have no problem with that. Unless you expect the absolute color of the Sun to change, "white" is just another transduction of reality. I mean, if the Sun or some part of it were to turn blue or red, or what would the Baader film show?

http://solar-center.stanford.edu/SID/ac ... enSun.html

Longer article here:
https://scied.ucar.edu/image/sun-spectrum

In any case, a less distorted view is always a better view. So, as I said, when I return to investing in the Sun, I will consider the Baader product line. And I agree just prima facie that Lunt would be the gold standard.

Best Regards,
Mike M.

[mikemarotta]