Solar Imaging Starting Out - What Do I need?

[Mach13]

Hi folks I like the idea of solar imaging, but its brand new territory for me.

I know nothing other than safety concerns about the need for filters of some type.

 

So before i get too curious about it.....

I thought i'd ask...

1. Will a Skymax 127 and DSLR and or ZWO 224 cut it?
2. If so what kit would I need beyond this? an estimate of costs would be cool

[vlaiv]

There are few different types of solar imaging - there is white light solar imaging and then there is narrow band solar imaging - mostly done in Solar H-alpha but there are few other bands that can be used as well.

It is better to use planetary type camera like ASI224 than it is to use DSLR as solar is in essence planetary type imaging - which means lucky type imaging. A lot of short exposures, some selected for quality and then stacked and sharpened.

If you want to do white light solar with Skymax then you'll need suitable filter and for that type of scope - there is only one suitable type filter and that is front mounted solar filter like this one:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/astrozap-baader-solar-filter.html

You can make your own as well - by using this solar film:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/astrosolar-photo-film-od-38.html

Do keep in mind that this type of foil comes in two flavors - visual ND5 and photographic - ND3.8. For imaging you want to use latter - ND 3.8 even if you get ready made filter cell.

In fact - do pay attention to filter cell. Although you can easily DIY one and save some money - make sure it is not easily removed. If attachment to the scope is flimsy - it can be accidentally knocked off - or maybe gust of wind can remove it. This can lead to serious consequences (much more serious for visual - but even with imaging you can end up with fried equipment).

In any case - solar viewing / imaging has some dangers and please be careful and understand risks involved. Even something "benign" like uncovered finder can cause serious damage when pointed to the sun.

H-alpha Solar is very expensive. You need either dedicated H-alpha telescope like this one:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/lunt-solar-50mm-h-alpha-telescopes/lunt-ls50tha-h-alpha-solar-telescope.html

or specialist filter like this one:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/daystar-quark-solar-eyepieces/daystar-quark-h-alpha-eyepiece-chromosphere-prominence.html

or much more expensive version like this:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/daystar-quark-solar-eyepieces/daystar-quantum-se-and-pe-h-alpha-filters.html

or maybe this one from Baader:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/baader-sundancer-ii-h-alpha-solar-filter.html

In any case - price of such setup is very high.

[Mach13]

Thanks as always for the prompt and detailed yet balanced response Vlaiv.  👍

So white light solar imaging would be a good economical place to start..

Don't think I would go DIY on a filter as the consequences of getting it wrong are too worrisome, but if that's all I'd need then that's not too bad.

Will give it some more positive thought.

[Rusted]

Vlaiv covered it all perfectly but here are some more thoughts to inspire you emotionally.

The cost of entry level to white light, solar imaging and observing, is extremely modest using approved, solar film and is a very good place to start.
It is quite magical to be able to see the sun in fine detail with nothing more than a circle of approved, solar foil fixed firmly in front of your objective.
You can observe and image from almost anywhere. With any sized telescope. No light pollution to worry about and you can easily see what you are doing.
Many find day time observation and imaging a pleasant, relaxing change from shivering in the dark. Watch transits and eclipses in comfort and safety.
Practice handling all your equipment as often as the sun shines. No fumbling in the dark or tripping over invisible cables.

[Mach13]

20 hours ago, Rusted said:

Vlaiv covered it all perfectly but here are some more thoughts to inspire you emotionally.

The cost of entry level to white light, solar imaging and observing, is extremely modest using approved, solar film and is a very good place to start.
It is quite magical to be able to see the sun in fine detail with nothing more than a circle of approved, solar foil fixed firmly in front of your objective.
You can observe and image from almost anywhere. With any sized telescope. No light pollution to worry about and you can easily see what you are doing.
Many find day time observation and imaging a pleasant, relaxing change from shivering in the dark. Watch transits and eclipses in comfort and safety.
Practice handling all your equipment as often as the sun shines. No fumbling in the dark or tripping over invisible cables.

Thanks Rusted, yep I like the idea of daytime viewing and I appreciate your comment and the inspiration.

I've also seen reference to Baader Continuum filters.. do these make much of a difference in terms of viewing and or imaging?

Edited December 3, 2021 by Mach13

[Rusted]

2 minutes ago, Mach13 said:

Thanks Rusted, yep I like the idea of daytime viewing and I appreciate your comment and the inspiration.

I've also seen reference to Baader Continuum filters.. do these make much of a difference in terms of viewing and or imaging?

These SC  filters produce an apple green image with [claimed] increased contrast.
They are supposed to narrow the spectrum and rid the image of the blue end of the spectrum.
So arguably help to reduce chromatic aberration. [False colour in refractors.]

I find they provide a much more comfortable view regardless of brightness.
The Baader solar filter foil produces a pure white image.
The green of the Continuum can tone down the feeling of glare.

I have used a 1.25" SC filter for years and [regardless of sharpness] always use it.
Both for white light imaging and visual. 

[vlaiv]

22 minutes ago, Mach13 said:

I've also seen reference to Baader Continuum filters.. do these make much of a difference in terms of viewing and or imaging?

I've found that it does make a difference both in sharpness and in contrast.

Most striking difference that I experienced was actually in night time use - with F/5 refractor. I observed the moon - and apart that green look that I did not particularly like on the moon (for Sun it does not bother me as much) - sharpness and contrast were simply incredible for said scope - razor sharp (not something you expect from F/5 4" refractor).

[Swoop1]

I use a Baader film equipped filter for my solar- both visual and imaging. I had some cracking views of the last Mercury transit and partial eclipse and captured some satisfactory (to me and who else matters!) images.

The white light filters are more than adequate for sunspot viewing/ imaging.

I also have a Continuum filter and it does make a visible difference in both modes.

[nfotis]

For the Skymax 127, a solar filter like the Baader Astrosolar is the best bet (you can buy a similar filter for bigger models like the Skymax 180 etc).

I have read good words about the Baader continuum filter, I haven't tried it myself.

There are also specialist filters, like Hydrogen-alpha (Daystar and Lunt are the bigger players), and Calcium-K/H lines of the spectrum (we are speaking about 1400+ EUR prices apiece, if we are speaking about filters for refractors, and the whole package can reach 5-digit prices)

N.F.

 

[Elp]

Haven't used a baader continuum myself, I bought a much cheaper green 58A which kind of improves contrast somewhat, not that dramatic though.

White light solar is a good entry point, hydrogen alpha though is another dark (or should that be light?) deep hole...

Edited December 11, 2021 by Elp

[GreatAttractor]

On 03/12/2021 at 15:01, Rusted said:

These SC  filters produce an apple green image with [claimed] increased contrast.

I can confirm the contrast increase; see the video below (150 mm Newtonian, Baader solar film, no gamma correction; Sun at high elevation, so no chromatism or atmospheric dispersion at play).

You can ignore the first part (Solar Continuum without UV/IR cut), as old versions of SC leaked infrared. This is no longer an issue.

 

Edited December 13, 2021 by GreatAttractor

[petevasey]

Baader film works very well - I've used it for years.  But one extra thing worth mentioning if you're going to make your own.  Warnings to cover the finder scope abound.  And rightly so - even if you don't look through it, the cross hairs can be damaged.  But instead of blanking it off, make a solar filter for it.  Then it's much easier to get the Sun in the field of view.  That's all very well, you say, but I have a red dot finder.  No problemo!  Because the solar film is so highly reflective you can still see the red dot even when pointing at the sky.  See example below.

Cheers,

Peter