Lunt LS80MT H-Alpha Solar Telescope - Enhanced Kit

80mm f/7 Doublet Objective Lens

At the heart of the LS80MT is a precision 80mm f/7 doublet objective that focuses light to a sharp, high-contrast point. This optical purity is critical in a solar telescope, as it provides a clean, artifact-free image to the etalon, resulting in a darker background sky and more vibrant surface detail.

For the observer, this means the ability to push magnification on days of good seeing to resolve the fine, thread-like structure within sunspot umbras and the delicate, feathery texture of hedgerow prominences. The 560mm focal length provides a versatile image scale, suitable for full-disc views with longer focal length eyepieces and detailed close-ups with shorter ones, without requiring a Barlow lens.

Internal Pressure-Tuned Etalon for Peak Contrast

Lunt's signature pressure-tuning system provides superior control over the etalon's bandpass. Unlike mechanical tilt-tuning which can introduce uneven illumination, pressure tuning adjusts the refractive index of the air between the etalon plates. This maintains a perfectly even, on-band image from edge to edge, which is crucial for uniform brightness in both visual observation and imaging.

This system allows you to precisely shift the filter's bandpass to track features moving at high velocity, such as solar flares or coronal mass ejections. By slightly increasing or decreasing the pressure, you can "Doppler shift" the view to highlight material moving towards or away from you, revealing dynamic details that would otherwise be invisible. The factory-verified bandpass of <0.4Å provides an ideal balance between surface detail and prominence brightness.

B1800 Blocking Filter for Imaging and Wide Fields

The Enhanced Kit includes the B1800 blocking filter, featuring a large 18mm aperture. This is a significant upgrade from the standard B1200, as it provides a much larger fully-illuminated field of view. For imagers using cameras with APS-C or larger sensors, this eliminates vignetting, ensuring the entire frame is evenly lit.

Visually, the kit's four flat-field eyepieces (8, 12, 16 and 19mm, all 1.25" barrels with 60° apparent fields) cover 29x to 70x, from full-disk views and limb surveys to tight crops on active regions. It transforms the telescope into a capable instrument for full-disc solar mosaics and general wide-field observation.

Robust Dual-Speed Rack & Pinion Focuser

To handle the demands of modern imaging equipment, the LS80MT is equipped with a heavy-duty dual-speed rack and pinion focuser. This design offers a significant advantage over Crayford-style focusers by providing zero slippage, even when supporting a heavy camera, filter wheel, and Barlow lens. The coarse focus knob gets you into the general vicinity quickly, while the 10:1 fine-focus knob allows for the critical, minute adjustments needed to snap spicules into sharp relief.

Modular Design for Day and Night Observation

The "MT" in LS80MT stands for Modular Telescope. The hydrogen-alpha module, containing the etalon, can be easily removed. With the optional Lunt Backing Plate and Focuser for nighttime mode, the 80mm f/7 objective can be used as a nighttime refractor for observing the moon, planets, and deep-sky objects. This versatility makes the LS80MT a complete observing system, saving you the expense and storage space of a separate nighttime refractor.

Safe and Easy Solar Alignment

The included solar handle with built-in red dot finder is a safe and intuitive way to align the telescope with the Sun. The finder is built into the tube ring assembly and stays permanently aligned.

Experiencing the Chromosphere

With the LS80MT and a medium-power eyepiece, the solar limb is no longer a simple, sharp edge. It resolves into a field of countless fiery spicules, tiny jets of plasma that give the chromosphere a "furry" appearance. Following a dark filament as it rotates to the edge of the disk, you can watch it transform into a magnificent prominence, a curtain of glowing hydrogen gas suspended in the blackness of space. The pressure tuner allows you to subtly adjust the view, making the prominence glow with maximum contrast against the background, revealing knots and streamers within its structure.

The primary trade-off for this versatility and aperture is portability. While manageable for one person, the LS80MT is a more substantial instrument than a 50mm or 60mm scope and requires a stable mount like an EQ5 or HEQ5-class equatorial mount for optimal performance, especially for imaging. It is the right choice for the observer who has a dedicated space or is willing to transport a larger setup for a significant increase in resolution and flexibility.