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Lunt LS80MT H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Premium PLUS Kit

Lunt LS80MT H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Premium PLUS Kit

par Lunt Solar Systems
UGC LSS-LS80MT-Premium
CA$6,573.00 - CA$6,573.00
CA$6,573.00
CA$6,573.00 - CA$6,573.00
CA$6,573.00
Égalisation de prix!
  • Aperture: 80mm ED Doublet
  • Focal Length: 560mm
  • Focal Ratio: f/7
  • System Bandpass: <0.28Å (Double-Stacked)
  • Tuning: Pressure-Tuned Doppler True Tuning
  • Blocking Filter: B1800 in 2" Diagonal
  • Focuser: Dual-Speed Rack & Pinion
  • Use: Day (H-Alpha Solar) & Night (Astronomical)
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Manuals & Software
  • Warranty

  • The Chromosphere in Unrivaled Contrast: The Lunt LS80MT H-Alpha Solar Telescope

    The Lunt LS80MT H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Premium PLUS Kit is a complete system designed for the uncompromising solar observer who demands the highest possible contrast for viewing and imaging the Sun's chromosphere. By combining an 80mm ED doublet refractor with two pressure-tuned etalons, this package delivers a sub-0.28Å bandpass, transforming the solar disk from a bright, active surface into a richly detailed, three-dimensional plasma environment. This is not just a solar telescope; its modular design allows for quick conversion to a high-performance nighttime refractor, providing true day-and-night utility.

    80mm ED Doublet Objective: The Foundation for High-Resolution Views

    At the heart of the LS80MT is a precision 80mm f/7 ED doublet objective lens. The use of FPL-51 extra-low dispersion glass significantly reduces chromatic aberration, or false color. This ensures that light is focused to a single, sharp point, a critical requirement for resolving fine details in solar prominences and the intricate texture of the nighttime lunar terminator alike.

    Primary Internal Pressure-Tuned Etalon: Precise Doppler Tuning

    The core of the solar engine is Lunt's internal, air-spaced etalon, which isolates the hydrogen-alpha wavelength of 656.28nm. Lunt’s innovative pressure-tuning system adjusts the air pressure between the etalon plates, changing the refractive index to shift the filter's bandpass precisely. This "Doppler True Tuning" allows you to follow features moving toward or away from you on the solar disk, like eruption outflows, without introducing mechanical stress or tilt to the optical train, maintaining the highest image quality across the entire field.

    Internal Double-Stack Module for Maximum Surface Contrast

    This Premium PLUS kit includes the internal SFPT double-stacking module, which narrows the final system bandpass to an exceptional <0.28Å. This secondary etalon dramatically increases contrast on the solar disk by suppressing the "glow" from the photosphere. The effect is transformative: faint filaments snap into sharp relief, active regions reveal their complex magnetic structure, and surface granulation becomes readily apparent, creating a view that feels almost three-dimensional.

    B1800 Blocking Filter: A Wide, Unvignetted Field for Imaging

    The included B1800 blocking filter, housed in a 2-inch star diagonal, provides the final, critical stage of energy rejection and defines the usable field of view. The generous 18mm aperture of this filter is specifically chosen for the LS80MT to provide a full, unvignetted solar disk for both visual observers and imagers using cameras with larger sensors. This ensures your images have even illumination from edge to edge without performance compromise.

    Dual-Speed Rack & Pinion Focuser: Precision without Flexure

    Achieving perfect focus at high magnification on a shimmering solar limb requires a robust and precise focuser. The LS80MT employs a heavy-duty dual-speed rack and pinion focuser that eliminates the image shift and flexure common with lesser designs. The 10:1 fine-focus knob allows for the minute adjustments needed to snap an image into perfect sharpness, holding it securely for long imaging runs.

    Modular Design: From Solar Powerhouse to Nighttime Explorer

    The "MT" in LS80MT stands for Modular Telescope. The entire hydrogen-alpha engine, including the etalon and blocking filter diagonal, can be removed in minutes. With the addition of a standard focuser (sold separately), the 80mm ED optical tube becomes a capable nighttime instrument, perfect for detailed views of planets, the Moon, and bright deep-sky objects, offering excellent value and versatility.

    An Observer's Experience: Tracing a Filament Channel

    With the double-stack engaged and a zoom eyepiece dialed in, the view is electric. A dark filament, which in a wider-bandpass scope appears as a simple dark line, resolves into a braided, multi-stranded river of cool plasma suspended above the surface. Fine-tuning the pressure dial seems to lift the filament off the disk, highlighting its structure against the textured chromosphere below. This is where the sub-0.28Å bandpass proves its worth, delivering a level of detail that single-stack systems cannot approach.

    Limitations and System Context

    While the double-stacked <0.28Å bandpass is unmatched for surface detail, it does result in a slightly dimmer image compared to a single-stack <0.45Å configuration. For this reason, single-stacking is often preferred for viewing very faint prominences against the blackness of space. The true strength of this Premium PLUS kit is its ability to reveal the highest possible contrast on the dynamic solar disk itself, making it the right choice for observers who prioritize surface phenomena over limb detail.

  • What's the main benefit of the LS80MT double-stack system?

    The double-stack module narrows the filter bandpass to below 0.28 Angstroms. This dramatically increases contrast on the sun's surface, making features like filaments, active regions, and plage much more detailed and visually distinct compared to a single-stack system.

    Do I need a special mount for the Lunt LS80MT?

    The LS80MT optical tube weighs around 11 pounds. You will need a stable astronomical mount with a payload capacity of at least 20 pounds to ensure steady views, especially for imaging. A mount like a Celestron AVX or Sky-Watcher HEQ5 is a good starting point.

    Is pressure tuning better than tilt tuning?

    Pressure tuning adjusts the etalon's bandpass without tilting it, which prevents the introduction of off-axis aberrations and ensures a more uniform view across the entire field. This generally provides a higher-fidelity image compared to mechanical tilt-tuning systems.

    Why choose the B1800 blocking filter over the B1200?

    The larger 18mm aperture of the B1800 blocking filter provides a wider, unvignetted field of view. This is highly recommended for imagers using cameras with APS-C or larger sensors to ensure the entire solar disk is evenly illuminated in your images.

    How difficult is it to convert the LS80MT for nighttime use?

    The conversion is straightforward. You simply unscrew the red H-alpha module from the main tube and replace the blocking filter diagonal with a standard star diagonal. You will need to purchase a separate focuser to attach to the rear of the main optical tube for nighttime observing.

    Is this telescope safe for looking at the sun?

    Yes. The Lunt LS80MT is a dedicated solar telescope with multiple, permanently installed filters. When used as instructed with all original parts, it is completely safe for direct solar observation.

  • Optical Aperture 80mm
    Objective ED Doublet, FPL-51
    Focal Length 560mm
    Focal Ratio f/7
    Etalon Internal Pressure Tuned
    Tuning Doppler True Tuning (Pressure)
    System Bandpass <0.45 Angstrom (Single-Stack), <0.28 Angstrom (Double-Stack)
    Blocking Filter B1800 in 2" Diagonal
    Focuser 2" Dual Speed Rack & Pinion
    Mounting Tube Rings with Vixen-style Dovetail
    Storage Aluminum Hard Case with Custom Foam
    Weight 11.2 lbs (5.1 kg)
    • Lunt LS80MT Telescope

      LS80MT 80mm Modular Telescope

      × 1

    • Lunt Internal Double-Stack Module

      SFPT Internal Double-Stack Module

      × 1

    • Lunt B1800 Blocking Filter

      B1800 Blocking Filter in Diagonal

      × 1

    • Lunt Mounting Rings and Dovetail

      Mounting Rings & 8" Dovetail

      × 1

    • Lunt Sol-Searcher Finder

      Red Dot Sun Finder (Sol-Searcher)

      × 1

    • Lunt Zoom Eyepiece

      Lunt Zoom Eyepiece

      × 1

    • Lunt Telescope Hard Case

      Hard Carrying Case

      × 1

  • Lunt Solar Systems 5-Year Warranty