Getting started with solar imaging on a budget

[jjosefsen]

Hi,

I am considering maybe getting into some solar imaging this summer, as deep sky is pretty much out of the question due to bright summer nights in my northern location.

I have a GSO RC6, is it possible to use this to image the sun with some kind of filtering?

I have both full spectrum modified DSLR and dedicated cooled mono astro cameras.

 

I found this one very interesting and CaK images look very nice, but it says it is only useable with Refractors?

http://www.antliafilter.com/pd.jsp?id=106

In general it seems like all images I find are taken with refractors..

 

Can you recommend me a way forward utilizing some of the gear I have already?

 

Thanks.

 

Edit: Seems some people are using newtons for this, but surely I can't just turn my standard Ha filter towards the sun and expect to se solar proms right?

Edited January 30, 2022 by jjosefsen

[johninderby]

You can buy a pre-made white light solar filter or make your own using the Baader solar film.

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

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/baader-astrosolar-safety-film-nd-50.html

Or the 3.8 film for photo use only

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

The mono astro camera would be best although cooling not needed as solar exposures are so short.

Herschel wedges can only be used with refractors.

Edited January 30, 2022 by johninderby

[jjosefsen]

1 minute ago, johninderby said:

You can buy a pre-made solar filter or make your own using the Baader solar film.

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

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/baader-astrosolar-safety-film-nd-50.html

Or the 3.8 film for photo use only

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

 

Hersxhel wedges can only be used with refractors.

This would give me white light images right?

Would I be able to combine this with Ha filter or CaK filter also?

[malc-c]

You can use Badder Solar film (gives a blueish tinge to the white light image) to make a full aperture solar filter to fit any scope  (John has already mentioned this as I'm typing)

[johninderby]

Yes that would give you white light images.

For anything else you would need a refractor. HA solar scopes are seriously expensive. The hershel wedge plus cak filter would work on an ordinary refractor. The cheapest most basic HA scope would be a Coronado PST 40mm.

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p7576_Coronado-PST-solar-telescope-for-H-Alpha-observation.html

Edited January 30, 2022 by johninderby

[johninderby]

And when I say HA scopes can be expensive.🙀

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/index.php/language/en/manufacturers_id/57/astro/LUNT+Solar+Systems.html

[jjosefsen]

11 minutes ago, johninderby said:

And when I say HA scopes can be expensive.🙀

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/index.php/language/en/manufacturers_id/57/astro/LUNT+Solar+Systems.html

Ouch..!

 

Any experience with something like this?

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p3415_Baader-stacked-1-25--K-line-filter-for-Solar-photography.html

It says it work well with Newtonians, so should also work with an RC I imagine.

[Merlin66]

If you use a Baader solar screen filter, or a Herschel wedge (with mandatory ND3 filter) adding secondary filters - like nighttime Ha, OIII or the Baader K line filter just improves (sometimes) the White Light contrast of the sunspots, faculae and granulation.

You won't see any H alpha filaments, plage or prominences. That needs a specialised , expensive extreme narrowband etalon filter $$$$$$$$$

[Merlin66]

The Baader K Line filter is about 80A bandwidth - too wide to resolve the Ca II K  line detail.  Just enhances the white light details.

The Lunt 40mm Ha is a good starter scope...https://luntsolarsystems.com/product/lunt-40mm-dedicated-hydrogen-alpha-solar-telescope/

The $$$$ Lunt CaK filter is a 2.2A bandwidth and even that is a compromise. https://luntsolarsystems.com/product/lunt-calcium-k-modules/

I image in all wavelengths using a MiniSHG which gives a resolution around 0.18A !!!

Edited January 30, 2022 by Merlin66
added info

[johninderby]

6 minutes ago, jjosefsen said:

Ouch..!

 

Any experience with something like this?

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p3415_Baader-stacked-1-25--K-line-filter-for-Solar-photography.html

It says it work well with Newtonians, so should also work with an RC I imagine.

Not used them myself but…