Solar observation advice.

[Jnicholes]

Hi everyone,

I’m not new to astronomy, but I am fairly new to solar viewing. I have a solar filter that fits my 80mm refractor. It’s NOT an eyepiece filter, it’s an aperture filter.

Now don’t get me wrong, I like looking at sunspots as well as the sun with my solar filter, but I’m looking for something new.

I came across an article that said in order to see more detail on the sun, you need to use a narrow band hydrogen-alpha filter.

I don’t know if this article was accurate or not, so I thought I’d come here and ask. Is there a type of solar filter that brings out more detail on the sun? Can someone recommend me a filter that brings out more detail?

If there is no filter that does this, that’s OK. I’m just curious.

One last thing, if I’m going to do ANY solar viewing, I’m going to do at safely. To me, safety is a priority.

Thanks,

Jared

[Thefatkitty]

Hi Jared,

I use Baader film with my C80-HD at f/11.4 for solar. However, there is also Calcium-K and Hydrogen Alpha wavelength filters/telescopes. This link pretty much sums it up.


Calcium-K is cheaply acheived with a filter, whereas HA would be a Daystar, Quark (using Daystar components) or a Lunt, usually. Also, the Daystar offers more than just one wavelength in HA, as well as Calcium K and H, Sodium D and Helium D3, as well as custom wavelengths. It makes my head hurt...

However, solar can be an expensive game... White light is cheapest, with Calcium-H and HA progressively getting more expensive.

And yes, safety first; couldn't agree more!

All the best,

[Jnicholes]

Thank you for getting back. I have a follow-up question. It’s a little bit of a stupid question, because I think I already know the answer. I just want to make sure.

Do you use an eyepiece Hydrogen alpha filter combined with a regular solar filter? Or is there such a thing as a hydrogen alpha Aperture solar filter?

[KathyNS]

To see the good detail that you want, you can't use an ordinary Ha filter. The Ha filter in solar-specific scopes has a bandwidth of about 0.07nm. In contrast, the bandwidth of a high-end astrophotography Ha filter might be 3nm. To get enough light to a filter with that narrow a bandwidth, a different aperture filter must be used. A solar filter that is safe for visual or photographic use blocks too much light.

Which is a long way of saying that a regular solar filter with a standard Ha filter will not do the job.

[Jnicholes]

Thank you for pointing that out. Like I said, I was just curious. I actually looked at prices, and they are way too expensive for me.

I think I’ll just stick with the filter I have.

However, I appreciate all the help. Thank you.

Happy holidays,

Jared