Skymax 180 pro + white light solar

[seven_legs]

With all the Solar activity going off at the moment it has got me interested in to viewing the sun.

So, would my skymax 180 pro + front white light solar be a good combination or not a good one?

cheers

[Philipdo]

I have a SkyMax 180 that I use frequently on the sun. Ik think it represents a sweet spot: Big enough to capture fine details in the sunspots and granulation and not to big to be hampered to much by mediocre seeing. Make sure to use the Baader solar film, not a glass filter that will strongly reduce resolution. You could use a full diameter glass filter only if its made of perfectly plane optical glass.but you don't want to know the price.... When you want to image make sure to obey the 5X rule: pixel size X 5 should approximate the focal ratio of the scope. In the case of the Skymax go for a camera with a pixel size of appr. 3 micrometer. 3 X 5 = 15 which accords to the f/D 15 focal ratio of the SkyMax 180. Personally I get quite satisfactory results with the ASI 462 MC (pixel size = 2.9 micrometer)

 

Philip

Edited May 12 by Philipdo

[Paz]

I do visual solar sometimes with a C8 and baader solar film, it shows up and seeing conditions more but it also has the potential to show good detail. I use refractors more often for solar though, for their practicality.

[seven_legs]

1 hour ago, Philipdo said:

I have a SkyMax 180 that I use frequently on the sun. Ik think it represents a sweet spot: Big enough to capture fine details in the sunspots and granulation and not to big to be hampered to much by mediocre seeing. Make sure to use the Baader solar film, not a glass filter that will strongly reduce resolution. You could use a full diameter glass filter only if its made of perfectly plane optical glass.but you don't want to know the price.... When you want to image make sure to obey the 5X rule: pixel size X 5 should approximate the focal ratio of the scope. In the case of the Skymax go for a camera with a pixel size of appr. 3 micrometer. 3 X 5 = 15 which accords to the f/D 15 focal ratio of the SkyMax 180. Personally I get quite satisfactory results with the ASI 462 MC (pixel size = 2.9 micrometer)

 

Philip

thanks for that, i was thinking about the Baader ASTF: AstroSolar Telescope Filter OD 5.0, i think 200mm OD Filter would be the right size, not sure.

great image by the way.

[Steve Ward]

I've fallen into the trap on numerous occasions , the seeing looks good in a 100mm 'scope so I've grabbed the Mak180Pro to get right in there only to be sorely disappointed and frustrated .

But if you're blessed with great seeing most of the time where you are then go for it , the results do shine when things are still and steady , I just find those moments are very few and far between here . 

[Philipdo]

1 hour ago, seven_legs said:

thanks for that, i was thinking about the Baader ASTF: AstroSolar Telescope Filter OD 5.0, i think 200mm OD Filter would be the right size, not sure.

great image by the way.

Thanks for the appreciation! I'm not quite sure this filter fits the SkyMax 180 tube. I made my own filter housing. If I were you I would ask Baader about its suitability for the scope.

[Steve Ward]

47 minutes ago, Philipdo said:

Thanks for the appreciation! I'm not quite sure this filter fits the SkyMax 180 tube. I made my own filter housing. If I were you I would ask Baader about its suitability for the scope.

Baader film is perfectly fine on any kind of 'scope , just remember that the ND3.8 is for imaging only , ND5.0 for visual ... 😉

[Philipdo]

4 hours ago, Steve Ward said:

Baader film is perfectly fine on any kind of 'scope , just remember that the ND3.8 is for imaging only , ND5.0 for visual ... 😉

I think the OP was questioning if the 200 mm pre-made Baader filter in a holder would fit the diameter of the Skymax 180 OTA