Why a solar scope?

[theblazingak]

Not planning on buying, just curious. It seems like a beginner question, and that's why I posted it here. What is the advantage of using a specialized solar scope over a similar refractor with a solar filter?

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[DRT]

A normal refractor and filter (such as Baader film or a Herchel Wedge) will allow you to see sun spots and, depending on seeing conditions and the quality of your equipment, perhaps some surface graining. What you are seeing here is a tiny fraction of the white light coming from the Sun.

A dedicated solar scope will allow you to see surface detail and prominence's around the outer rim of the disk. These features are not visible in white light.

One option you have if you don't want to buy a dedicated solar scope is to buy a Daystar Quark, which converts a normal refractor into a solar scope. But they are not cheap!

If you look through some of the images in the Solar Imaging section you will see the difference. Those that show a white or green disk with black spots are taken in white light. Those that are red or orange with prominences and lots of surface detail are taken through dedicated Hydrogen-alpha scopes or Quarks.

As with all observing - don't necessarily believe that what you see in an image will be what you would see through the eyepiece

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

As was said, you can convert practically any refractor into an H-alpha or CaK solar scope with additional filters. These tend to show much more activity than white light using either Herschel wedges (on refractors) or mirror-like objective filters like Solar Film or glass filters (for any type of scope). I am planning to get a 4 or 5" refractor and turn it into a dedicated triple band system (Cak, solar continuum, and H-alpha) for solar.

[Gazabone]

DRT has summed it up pretty well. Using a solar filter or Herschel wedge allows you to see the surface in "white light" and you get to see nice detail of sun spots and some granulation, especially if you add a solar continuum filter. Specialist solar scopes filter out all wavelengths except very specific ones, most solar scopes filter out everything except the Hydrogen Alpha wavelength, filter out everything but Calcium. So the sun does look very different depending what setup you're using. I quite enjoy having my white light and Hα setups side by side and monitor changes in both over time.

[baggywrinkle]

I took a long time to decide if I would get a PST. I am glad I did. I also have a Herschel wedge.

The Sun is our nearest star and it is always changing and for that reason it is fascinating. On a clear day if Iam at home I set up the PST and look at the Sun on a regular 15-30 minute interval. Watching how the prominences and flares change so quickly is very rewarding. We cannot do that with any other star.

I am considering whether to upgrade to a bigger Lunt or go for the Daystar Quark.

[David Smith]

Some other advantages of the "light side" , the hours are more sociable, there's no fumbling around in the dark (unless you forget to take your eclipse glasses off) and it generally tends to be warmer during the day. Don't forget the sunscreen in the summer   

[ollypenrice]

I found the Lunt 60 did give a visual view which approached the photographic views it could yeild. Certainly the visual view was much closer to the photographic than is the case with nocturnal astronomical telescopes.

All these features were visible at the eyepiece.

...which, alas, cannot be said for...

lly

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Very true, Olly. The sun looks a lot like that shot when viewed through the LS60 or my SM-II 60mm, whereas the Horsehead Nebula is all but invisible. Of course, you only need 7ms "subs" on the sun

[DRT]

I need to look through an LS60!!!

My LS50 shows a bright red disk with some surface detail and good views of proms - but it looks nothing like that pictures Olly posted!!!!

[ArmyAirForce]

This is more realistic, from my Lunt LS50THa.

[MarsG76]

I concur with the above...

[DRT]

What camera do use with the Lunt 50, Stephen?

That is certainly more like what I see through mine but the contrast isn't so sharp through the eyepiece. There tends to be a red glow around the disk rather than a crisp black sky.

[ArmyAirForce]

I use the ASI120MM. I've only had the scope a month, but I'm getting to grips with it and results are improving.

[ollypenrice]

I wasn't trying to say that the LS60, visually, gave the view as presented in the photo it took. What I said was that, 'All these features were visible at the eyepiece.'  I'll stand by that. They were. Imaging is hard work. So is real time observing. You do have to work at it.

Olly

[Moonshane]

In white light you are looking at the photosphere and right through the outer, much more 'delicate' Ha layer of the chromosphere. In Ha you view the Chromosphere which does have more different features. I find the constant changing face of the sun with both types of observing fascinating. I also consider myself really fortunate so "do you fancy a look"? is something I ask very often to colleagues and parents at the school where I work when observing as I eat my sarnies.