Lunt LS100MT H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Enhanced Kit

100mm ED Doublet Objective Lens

At the heart of the LS100MT is a 100mm air-spaced doublet objective lens. The use of an FPL51 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element significantly reduces chromatic aberration, ensuring that the primary image formed is sharp and free of false color. This clean, high-fidelity starting point is critical for the performance of the downstream H-alpha filter system, allowing the etalon to isolate the 656.28nm wavelength with maximum contrast and minimal interference.

Internal Pressure-Tuned Etalon for Uniformity

Unlike front-mounted tilt-tuned filters, the LS100MT employs an internal, solid-etalon filter tuned via Lunt's True Pressure Tuning system. By adjusting air pressure within the etalon cavity, you can precisely shift the filter's bandpass across the hydrogen-alpha line, moving from the solar disk to the limb without introducing uniformity issues. This method avoids the banding and "sweet spots" associated with tilt-tuning, providing a consistently illuminated and uniformly detailed image across the entire field of view.

The single etalon in the LS100MT achieves a bandpass of ≤0.45Å, a specification measured and verified on a scanning monochromator. This narrow bandwidth is the key to resolving fine chromospheric detail. It darkens the solar photosphere enough to make the intricate, fibrous texture of filaments and the bright, chaotic structure of active regions clearly visible against the disk.

B1800 Blocking Filter for Full-Disk Imaging

The Enhanced Kit includes the B1800 blocking filter, housed in a 2-inch star diagonal. The 18mm aperture of this filter is essential for observers using cameras with larger sensors or eyepieces with wide field stops. It provides a generous, unvignetted field of view, ensuring the entire solar disk is illuminated evenly from edge to edge. This is a practical advantage for creating full-disk mosaic images or simply enjoying wide-field views without a fading light at the periphery.

Dual-Speed Rack & Pinion Focuser

Achieving perfect focus on delicate solar features is critical, and the LS100MT is equipped with a robust dual-speed 10:1 rack and pinion focuser. The coarse focus knob allows for rapid initial adjustments, while the fine-focus control provides the precision needed to snap the thinnest spicules or the most subtle surface granulation into sharp relief. This level of control is not a luxury; it is a necessity when atmospheric seeing is fleeting and you have only a moment to capture the sharpest possible view.

Modular Telescope (MT) Design for Night and Day

The "MT" in LS100MT stands for Modular Telescope, a design that significantly increases the instrument's value. By unscrewing the hydrogen-alpha module, you can convert the 100mm ED doublet into a capable nighttime astronomical telescope. With the addition of a standard focuser (sold separately), it becomes an excellent instrument for viewing planets, the Moon, and deep-sky objects, making your investment serve you around the clock.

Safe and Easy Solar Alignment

The included Red Dot Sun Finder provides a simple and safe method for aligning the telescope. This finder projects a small red dot onto a shielded screen. By centering this dot, you align the main telescope with the Sun without ever needing to look directly at it, ensuring a safe and fast start to your observing session.