Baader Planetarium H-alpha Bandpass Filter (20nm)
- H-alpha Bandpass Filter in 1.25" & 2" Sizes
- 20nm FWHM Bandwidth
- 656.3nm Center Wavelength
- Optimized for Color CMOS/CCD Cameras
- High-Contrast for Visual and Photographic Use
The Baader H-alpha Bandpass filter, available in 1.25" and 2" sizes, isolates the critical 656.3nm wavelength of ionized hydrogen with a 20nm FWHM, dramatically increasing the contrast of emission nebulae. This filter is engineered for both visual deep-sky observing and as a powerful enhancement for color CMOS and CCD cameras, allowing you to cut through light pollution and capture detailed H-II regions from any location.
By selectively passing a 20nm window of light centered on the 656.3nm H-alpha line, this filter renders the sky background profoundly dark. This isolates the faint, glowing structures of emission nebulae like the North America Nebula (NGC 7000), making them stand out against a black field of view. The 20nm bandwidth is a carefully chosen compromise, offering a significant contrast boost while remaining bright enough for effective visual use in a variety of telescopes.
For imagers using one-shot color cameras, this filter acts as a supercharged red filter. It replaces the standard red channel in an RGB sequence, dedicating all your signal collection at that wavelength to the most important structures in emission nebulae. This technique allows you to produce high-contrast, detailed images of H-II regions without investing in a full monochrome camera and narrowband filter set.
Unlike extremely narrow imaging filters that can be too dim for the human eye, the 20nm bandpass provides a tangible boost in nebular visibility without an excessive loss of light. This filter is designed to work effectively across all telescope f-ratios, making it a versatile tool for any observer looking to punch through local light pollution and reveal the hidden structure in faint deep-sky objects.
This filter is designed to dramatically increase the contrast of emission nebulae (H-II regions) for both visual observing and astrophotography. It isolates the 656.3nm H-alpha wavelength, making objects like the North America Nebula (NGC 7000) or the Orion Nebula (M42) stand out, especially from light-polluted areas.
A 20nm bandpass offers a crucial balance. It's narrow enough to provide a major contrast enhancement by blocking light pollution, but wide enough to remain bright for visual observing. Narrower filters (like 7nm or 3nm) are excellent for imaging but are often too dim for the human eye to see through, especially with smaller telescopes.
When used with a color CMOS or CCD camera, this filter acts as an enhanced red filter. It isolates the rich H-alpha signal from the nebula while rejecting skyglow, moonlight, and other sources of light pollution. This results in a much stronger, more detailed signal from the nebula's structure, allowing you to capture impressive images even from a suburban backyard.
Yes, absolutely. The filter is designed to perform well across all f-ratios, including faster systems like an f/5 Newtonian. The 20nm bandwidth ensures the view remains bright enough to be effective, providing a significant contrast boost on emission nebulae without dimming the image excessively.
NO. This is not a solar filter. You must never use this filter for any type of solar observation. Viewing the sun through this filter without a proper, full-aperture solar filter will cause immediate and permanent eye damage.
Choose the size that matches your accessories. The 1.25" version is housed in a standard 1.25" cell with standard filter threads and threads directly into the barrel of any 1.25" eyepiece or into a standard 1.25" filter wheel. The 2" version is the right choice if your eyepieces, diagonal or filter wheel use the 2" format. Both sizes offer the same 20nm bandpass centered on 656.3nm.
| Filter Type | H-alpha Bandpass |
| Size | 1.25" |
| Bandwidth (FWHM) | 20 nm |
| Center Wavelength (CWL) | 656.3 nm |
| Primary Application | Visual & Photographic Deep-Sky |
| Solar Safe | No |
| Filter Type | Bandpass |
| Wavelength | H-alpha |
| Center Wavelength (CWL) | 656.3 nm |
| Bandpass (FWHM) | 20 nm |
| Filter Size | 2" |
| Primary Use | Deep-Sky Visual & Photography |
| Solar Safe | No |