Herschel Wedges

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.