Skip to content
Price match 30-day returns* Talk to an astronomer before you buy

Herschel Wedges

A Herschel wedge sends about 95% of the Sun's light and heat out of the telescope through an uncoated prism surface, and reflects a small fraction toward the eyepiece or camera. Additional neutral density and polarizing filters bring the brightness down to a safe, comfortable level. The result is one of the sharpest white-light views of the Sun possible, with excellent contrast on sunspots, faculae and granulation.

We carry the Baader Cool-Ceramic Safety Herschel Prism, Lunt 1.25-inch and 2-inch Herschel wedges and the Antlia Imaging Herschel Wedge with Calcium-K filter.

Filters

CA$481.00 - CA$481.00
CA$481.00
CA$481.00 - CA$481.00
CA$481.00

Antlia Imaging Herschel Wedge with CaK 3nm Filter - 1.25"

For high-resolution solar imaging with refractors only: aperture no larger than 120mm or f/5.5 or longer 35mm Herschel prism: a design well known ...

View full details
CA$481.00 - CA$481.00
CA$481.00
CA$481.00 - CA$481.00
CA$481.00
CA$838.00 - CA$940.00
CA$838.00 - CA$940.00
CA$838.00 - CA$940.00
CA$838.00

Baader Cool-Ceramic Safety Herschel Prism (Visual/Photographic)

2" Herschel wedge prism for white-light solar observation with refractors One-sided Phantom Coating Group anti-reflective coating Ceramic solar fi...

View full details
CA$838.00 - CA$940.00
CA$838.00 - CA$940.00
CA$838.00 - CA$940.00
CA$838.00
CA$385.00 - CA$385.00
CA$385.00
CA$385.00 - CA$385.00
CA$385.00

Lunt Herschel Wedge - 1.25"

1.25" Barrel Diameter For Refractors up to 4" Aperture Integrated ND 3.0 Safety Filter Optimized for White-Light Solar Observing and Imaging Repla...

View full details
CA$385.00 - CA$385.00
CA$385.00
CA$385.00 - CA$385.00
CA$385.00
CA$525.00 - CA$525.00
CA$525.00
CA$525.00 - CA$525.00
CA$525.00

Lunt Herschel Wedge - 2"

For White Light Solar Observing Provides Superior Image Contrast and Sharpness Integrated Neutral Density Filter for Safe Imaging Designed for Ref...

View full details
CA$525.00 - CA$525.00
CA$525.00
CA$525.00 - CA$525.00
CA$525.00

Using a Herschel Wedge Safely

  • Refractors only: Never use a Herschel wedge on a Newtonian, SCT, Maksutov or any telescope with mirrors or a corrector inside, which would trap heat.
  • Required filters: Always use the supplied neutral density filter for visual use. Never remove it while the wedge points at the Sun.
  • Aperture limits: Each wedge has a maximum recommended aperture. Respect it, and cap the finder.
  • Heat exit: Make sure the light exiting the wedge goes nowhere it can burn skin or cables.

Herschel Wedges: Frequently Asked Questions

Herschel wedge or front filter?

A good wedge on a quality refractor gives sharper, higher-contrast views than film. A front filter is simpler and works on any telescope.

Can I image with a Herschel wedge?

Yes. It is excellent for white-light imaging, and with a Calcium-K or continuum filter it becomes a strong imaging tool.

Considering a Herschel wedge?

Tell us your refractor's aperture and focal ratio. We will confirm the right wedge and filters.