Solar with a 200PDS

[discardedastro]

Hi,

So I've got a 200PDS Newtonian and I've been using it exclusively for DSO work - for which it works great.

I'd like to do some basic solar observation and the lowest cost entry point would seem to be a full aperture solar filter like the Baader Astrozap filters: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/astrozap-baader-solar-filter.html

My question is - will this plus the Ha filter in my filter wheel be safe for the camera in a 200PDS? Would I need to throw an IR/UV filter into the front of the coma corrector? I'll be using my ASI183MM to do the actual capture.

The other option I have is to get some Baader filter material and tape it securely to the stopped-down aperture in the dust cap, which feels a bit safer in terms of aperture/heat gathering, but would this make a material impact to the amount of detail/resolution I'd be able to get out of the system?

And lastly, if the 200P isn't suitable, would a low-cost apo with the same filter setup do the job?

Edited February 9, 2020 by discardedastro

[Waldemar]

That Baader astrozap front filter will be okay on it's own. Any other filter in your filterwheel is of no use.
Solar H-alpha filters (etalons) are totally different from the 'normal' H-alpha filters used for NB imaging. 
Heat will be of no problem in either mentioned scope or setup with the Baader foil. 

[discardedastro]

Understood on the Ha not being a proper etalon - I know from some research that NB filters can help a little with contrast in WL, hence things like the Baader continuum filter. Only looking for white light - I'll go buy a Quark/Lunt if I want to do solar properly, but that takes a budget!

The heat load and overall safety of the system was the main thing I was worried about. It's a lot of aperture compared to most solar scopes and it gave me pause.

[Stu]

10 hours ago, discardedastro said:

The heat load and overall safety of the system was the main thing I was worried about. It's a lot of aperture compared to most solar scopes and it gave me pause.

The AstroSolar filters prevent any heat buildup in the scope so that's not a problem. The main safety risk is if the filter blows off or is knocked off when you are viewing. Ensuring a firm fit with perhaps some form of backup securing mechanism can eliminate this risk, although care is always needed of course 

I would go for a full aperture filter to get the best resolution.

[discardedastro]

10 hours ago, Stu said:

The AstroSolar filters prevent any heat buildup in the scope so that's not a problem. The main safety risk is if the filter blows off or is knocked off when you are viewing. Ensuring a firm fit with perhaps some form of backup securing mechanism can eliminate this risk, although care is always needed of course 

I would go for a full aperture filter to get the best resolution.

Sounds like a plan. I can gaffer tape the filter in place as an added mechanism for security, or drill some securing bolts through. Thanks all.

[joe aguiar]

U dont need the full aperture filter u could save some and get an off axis filter.

Or if your cap has the inner cap use that hole

Joejaguar 

[JOC]

Try this thread in it is my 200P solar filter made from Baader film and those of others:

 

[Stu]

41 minutes ago, joe aguiar said:

U dont need the full aperture filter u could save some and get an off axis filter.

Or if your cap has the inner cap use that hole

Joejaguar 

....and limit the available resolution?

[Louis D]

I do find the image a bit bright with the original Baader solar film from ~20 years ago.  I don't know if they've darkened it up a bit or not.  I like to have an IR blocking filter in place to limit any unblocked IR from cooking my retina.  Without it, after a while, I feel fatigue in my observing eye.