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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
Baader Contrast-Booster Filter
Baader Contrast-Booster Filter
Baader Contrast-Booster Filter
Baader Contrast-Booster Filter
Baader Contrast-Booster Filter

Baader Contrast-Booster Filter

by Baader Planetarium
SKU BAA-2458360
$104.00 - $165.00
$104.00
$104.00 - $165.00
$104.00
Price Match Policy!
  • Enhances contrast for lunar and planetary observing
  • Significantly darkens skyglow background
  • Reveals subtle details in Jupiter's cloud belts and Mars's polar caps
  • Available in standard 1.25" and 2" mounted formats
  • Threads directly into standard eyepieces and accessories
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Baader Contrast-Booster Filter

    The Baader Contrast-Booster Filter, available in both 1.25" and 2" formats, is an essential tool for cutting through skyglow to reveal sharp, high-contrast details on the Moon and planets. By selectively filtering out wavelengths associated with common streetlights while passing critical light from celestial targets, this filter makes features like Jupiter's Great Red Spot, Martian surface markings, and subtle lunar rilles distinctly more visible.

    1.25" & 2" Filters for Enhanced Lunar and Planetary Contrast

    The core function of the Contrast-Booster is to increase the signal-to-noise ratio for bright objects against a brightened sky background. It aggressively blocks the yellow-orange glow from sodium and mercury-vapor streetlights, effectively darkening the space around your target. This allows the subtle colors and structures on planetary surfaces and the Moon to stand out dramatically.

    For refractors, this filter serves a dual purpose by also cutting unfocused violet and blue light, which tightens star images and reduces chromatic aberration. The result is a cleaner, sharper view, particularly on challenging targets like the cloud bands of Jupiter and Saturn, where low-contrast details are easily lost to atmospheric scatter and optical imperfections.

    Contrast-Booster vs. Standard Moon & Skyglow Filter: A Targeted Approach

    While a generic Moon & Skyglow filter offers a mild reduction in light pollution with minimal color shift, the Baader Contrast-Booster is a more specialized instrument. Its transmission properties are more targeted, creating a more significant contrast enhancement at the cost of a more noticeable color cast in the image.

    • Baader Contrast-Booster: Ideal for pulling specific, faint details out of the glare on bright planets and the Moon. It excels at separating the zones and belts on Jupiter and defining the polar caps on Mars.
    • Standard Moon & Skyglow: A better choice for general-purpose, wide-field viewing where a more natural color balance is desired and the primary goal is simply to dim the sky background slightly.

    The trade-off is clear: for maximum detail on specific solar system targets, the Contrast-Booster's targeted filtering is superior. For casual, broad-field sweeping, a milder filter may be preferred.

  • What is the primary purpose of the Baader Contrast-Booster Filter?

    The Baader Contrast-Booster is designed to increase the visual contrast of lunar and planetary details. It achieves this by filtering out specific wavelengths of light associated with skyglow from artificial lighting, which darkens the background sky and makes faint features on bright objects easier to see.

    How does the Baader Contrast-Booster improve views of Jupiter in an 8" SCT?

    In an 8" SCT, the Baader Contrast-Booster will make Jupiter's atmospheric features significantly more distinct. It helps to separate the faint orange and brown hues of the cloud belts from the whiter zones. The Great Red Spot (GRS) becomes more clearly defined, and smaller ovals and festoons within the cloud structures are often revealed.

    Can I use the Baader Contrast-Booster Filter for deep-sky objects?

    While it can help darken the sky background, the Contrast-Booster is not a nebula filter. It is not optimized for the critical O-III and H-beta emission lines that define most nebulae. For targets like the Orion Nebula (M42) or Dumbbell Nebula (M27), a dedicated UHC or O-III filter will deliver far better results.

    Will the Baader Contrast-Booster Filter help with observing Mars?

    Yes, the Contrast-Booster is highly effective for Mars. It helps to define the boundaries of the dark albedo features like Syrtis Major against the bright ochre deserts. It is particularly useful for making the white polar caps stand out sharply against the planet's limb.

    Does the Baader Contrast-Booster Filter introduce a strong color cast?

    Yes, a noticeable color cast is a characteristic of this filter. Because it selectively removes portions of the visual spectrum, the resulting image will have a distinct bluish or greenish tint. This is a normal trade-off for the significant gain in contrast on planetary features.

    Will this filter thread directly onto my 1.25" and 2" eyepieces?

    Yes. The Baader Contrast-Booster filters are mounted in standard cells with standard filter threads. The 1.25" version has M28.5 x 0.6 threads, and the 2" version has M48 x 0.75 threads, allowing them to screw directly into the barrels of most eyepieces, diagonals, and other accessories.

  • Available Sizes 1.25" Round Mounted, 2" Round Mounted
    Net weight (kg) 0.01
    Single or Set? Single Filter
    Filter mounted Mounted (LPFC 6mm)
    Filter Usage Contrast Enhancement, Color Correction, IR-Cut, Planetary
    Type of Filter Bandpass
    Filter Thickness (without cell) 1 mm
    Transmission Range multiple bands (see spectral image)
    AR-Coating Phantom Coating® Group, planeoptically polished
  • Baader Planetarium Warranty