Lunt LS130MT H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Flagship Kit

The 130mm f/7 ED Triplet Objective

At the heart of the LS130MT is a 130mm air-spaced ED triplet objective, the largest aperture in Lunt's MT day/night modular series (MT80, MT100, MT130). This unobstructed optical system provides the light-gathering power and resolution required to resolve the finest details in the Sun's chromosphere, from the "fur" of spicules at the limb to the cellular texture of the chromospheric network (supergranulation cell boundaries) across the disk. The 910mm focal length at f/7 strikes a critical balance, providing a large enough image scale for high-magnification views of active regions while still allowing the full solar disk to be framed with the included eyepieces.

This FLP51 ED triplet carries ion-assisted broadband AR coatings, and its premium apochromatic glass gives the colour correction and contrast that serious planetary and deep-sky observers demand, so it serves both in the deep red of the H-alpha line and across the visual spectrum at night. When used for solar work, the full 130mm aperture feeds the internal etalon system, maximizing image brightness and resolution on the most delicate solar features.

Doppler True Pressure Tuning: The <0.45Å Etalon System

The LS130MT uses Lunt's Doppler True pressure tuning system to precisely center the etalon's bandpass on the H-alpha line. By adjusting air pressure within a sealed chamber, the system shifts the wavelength without applying any mechanical stress to the etalon itself, ensuring uniform performance across the entire field of view. This single-stack configuration achieves a bandpass of <0.45Å, revealing stunning views of prominences, surface filaments, and plage regions.

Pressure tuning allows you to explore the Doppler effect in real time. You can shift the bandpass into the blue or red "wings" of the H-alpha line to observe plasma moving toward or away from you. This technique is essential for studying the dynamics of eruptive events and revealing the three-dimensional structure of features that appear flat at line-center.

The LFPT Module: Achieving a <0.28Å Double-Stack Bandpass

This flagship kit includes the LFPT internal double-stack module, which adds a second, independently pressure-tuned etalon to the optical path. This narrows the system bandpass to an exceptional <0.28Å, dramatically increasing surface contrast. At <0.28Å, the chromosphere transforms from a textured surface into a complex, high-definition landscape.

• Enhanced Surface Detail: Filaments resolve from simple dark lines into multi-stranded, three-dimensional structures. The chromospheric network sharpens, revealing individual supergranulation cells.
• Higher Contrast: The background darkens and surface contrast rises; Lunt's DSII/LFPT manual notes that edge (limb) detail dims in double-stacked mode, which is normal. Plage regions around sunspots reveal intricate bright knots and threads.
• Independent Tuning: With two pressure tuners, you can optimize the bandpass for different features, balancing the view between the brighter limb and the higher-contrast surface details.

Day-to-Night Conversion: A 24.2 lb Modular Refractor

The "MT" in LS130MT stands for Modular Telescope. In a few simple steps, you can remove the entire H-alpha module and convert the instrument into a premium 130mm f/7 ED triplet refractor for nighttime astronomy. Lunt sums it up as one instrument for two disciplines: H-alpha solar by day and a 130mm f/7 refractor by night.

In its nighttime configuration, the tube length shortens from 33.5" to 28.1", and the telescope is ready for deep-sky or planetary observation. Targets include Jupiter's cloud bands and Great Red Spot, the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings on steady nights, lunar rilles and ray systems, globular clusters resolved to their cores and double stars split at the theoretical limit of the aperture. A 2" extension ring (supplied with the backing plate and focuser assembly) will typically be needed to reach focus at night. No mount is included. At 24.2 lbs, the telescope needs a sturdy mount rated for its weight and length plus any imaging equipment; a 12" Vixen dovetail is supplied for balance on any equatorial or alt-az mount.

Imaging Ready: B1800 Filter and 10:1 Rack & Pinion Focuser

This kit is configured for both visual observation and serious solar imaging. The included B1800 blocking filter provides an 18mm clear aperture, for larger camera sensors in imaging and wide-field visual use. At 910mm the solar disk is about 8.5mm across, well inside that aperture, and the B1800 is rated for imaging on focal lengths up to 1200mm. The B1800 is housed in a standard 2" diagonal for ease of use.

Focusing is handled by a robust 2" dual-speed Rack & Pinion focuser. The 10:1 fine-focus ratio is critical for achieving perfect sharpness when imaging at high magnifications, where seeing conditions demand rapid and precise adjustments. The focuser is ZWO EAF compatible for motorised focus control.

Lunt LS130MT vs. LS100MT: Aperture and Resolution

While the LS100MT is a formidable instrument, the LS130MT offers a significant step up in capability, primarily driven by its 130mm aperture. The choice between them depends on your goals, portability needs, and budget.

• LS100MT Advantage: At a lower weight, the 100mm LS100MT is more portable and can be carried by lighter-duty mounts. Its 714mm focal length provides a wider native field of view, which can be advantageous for some imaging applications.
• LS130MT Advantage: The 130mm objective gathers nearly 70% more light and delivers significantly higher theoretical resolution. On days of good seeing, this translates directly into the ability to resolve finer details: individual spicules at the limb, finer chromospheric network cells, and more intricate threading within filaments and prominences. Andy Lunt's own advice is to buy the largest aperture your budget allows and your observing situation supports, since seeing sets the practical limit.

A Complete Kit: Eyepieces, Case, and Finder Included

The LS130MT Flagship Kit is designed for immediate, comprehensive use. It includes a 7.2-21.5mm zoom eyepiece, perfect for quickly moving from a full-disk contextual view to high-power detail on an active region. For those who prefer fixed focal lengths, a complete 5-piece set of flat-field eyepieces (8, 12, 16, 19, and 27mm) is also included.

The entire system is protected in a custom aluminum hard case with fitted foam. A solar handle with an integrated red-dot finder makes locating the Sun quick, and the built-in finder stays permanently aligned, while the 12" Vixen-style dovetail is an extended rail for proper balance with the double-stack module and imaging accessories on any equatorial or alt-az mount.