Baader Solar Continuum Filter

[Llamanaut]

I have a home made solar filter made from Baader AstroSolar Safety Film ND 5.0 and whilst it gives nice clear crisp views of the sun i was wondering how to go about viewing granulation and sunspots with more clarity. Has anyone used a continuum filter? Do they work or are they an expensive gimmick?

Solar Filters - Baader Solar Continuum Filter

[yeti monster]

I'd say that generally, the information provided by FLO is precise. However, I have yet to experience this filter, so cannot comment further. I'd certainly like to see granulation details on the sun though.

[johninderby]

The Solar Continuum filter does give the best results for showing granulation of any of the filters available. However it's a case of showing a bit more granulation, not a "night and day" sort of thing. BTW a regular green coloured filter does help a little bit but nothing like the proper solar continuum fiter.

So while it's not going to make a huge difference, it does make a definite difference, so if your after every last bit of granulation then it's the way to go.

John

[Merlin66]

I agree with John.

A green or Continuum filter enhances the surface contrast and makes the granulation easier to see. You still need good optics, and steady seeing.

Ken

[brianb]

You still need good optics, and steady seeing.

LF, I assume you're using your Skylux? It will have some residual chromatic aberration which will affect the contrast ... anything which will remove blue & violet will help a lot. Try an ordinary yellow, orange or green filter. Most people find #58 green very good though it is quite dark at high magnification.

The Baader Solar Continuum filter is better than #58 green, but is even darker if anything and the increment is very small ... whether a 10% improvement is worth the money is dubious unless you're a no-holds-barred solar specialist.

BTW I find it hard to see the granulation in white light without the help of a sharp feature like a spot to get the focus accurate. The limb just isn't sharp enough to focus accurately on. The Sun isn't being cooperative at the moment!

[Solar B]

After a few years "of n on" i have been trying to see clear granulation with various refractors 4" apo up to 6" achro with little success while using a Continuum,so i do not think they help much.

Brian

[Llamanaut]

"The Sun isn't being cooperative at the moment! " - i thought it was just me being rubbish

Im using the skylux but also had some nice views with my 60mm astral... it may be as old as i am but its still ok for solar stuff

Ive given the yellow filter a try (not much difference) and will try the green to see if if theres anything noticeable.

Does anyone know where i can get a 'heads up' about sun spots, is there a web based alert service

I can see me saving even more to get a dedicated solar scope at this rate!

[Merlin66]

Maps of Active Solar Regions | raben.com

This shows the current activity.

Ken

[LukeSkywatcher]

I'm considering adding one of these filters to my collection for use with my 90EQ scope and AstroSolar filter. I already have a green filter but have never used it observing the sun.

Should io bother adding a continuum filter to my collection?

I only ever use the 90EQ for observing the sun.

[brianb]

Do you have an ordinary green?

The improvement that the continuum filter gives over a (good quality) Wratten #58 green is minor ... probably not worth the money unless you're a no holds barred solar specialist.

[russ]

I've been using a #56 green and it seems a good choice. Had a number of visitors around for a BBQ on Sunday and i turned the scope on the sunspot group. All agreed they found it easier to see detail in the sunspots with the filter in place. None of them could see any granulation but i could see it coming and going with the seeing. I've not used a #58 but the #56 is not as severe. Works well with the 90mm.

[brianb]

None of them could see any granulation but i could see it coming and going with the seeing.

Experience, as usual!

[Stu]

Have just ordered one having read the thread and the stuff on FLO. I use an old 80mm achromatic refractor (Celestron) with Baader filter and it does say it has a more beneficial effect on achros rather than apos because it cuts out the red and blue frequencies. Will let you know if it makes any difference!