Coronado SolarMax III 90 Double Stack Solar Scope with BF15
Item #57003
Free Standard Shipping
$7,799.99
90mm telescope with enhanced rack and pinion focuser and large external etalons is the perfect way to view the Sun! Includes 12mm, 18mm, 25mm eyepieces, CEMAX 2x barlow, Sol Ranger finder, Vixen-style dovetail mounting rail, and aluminum carry case.
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  • More Info
    • A large aperture, high resolution refractor designed to see stunning high contrast hydrogen-alpha details of solar prominences, sunspots, active flare regions, and surface granulation
    • Includes Coronado's patented RichView tuning system, coupled with the T-Max Tuner to maximize the contrast and detail of the features being observed
    • Includes the BF15 blocking filter provides a larger unvignetted view of the solar disk compared with the BF10 and accepts 1.25" eyepieces or imaging equipment (42mm t-thread compatible)
    • This double stack (two stacked etalons) system provides a bandpass of <0.5 Angstroms for even higher surface contrast and detail than a single-stack (<0.7 A) system can produce
    • Includes three CEMAX eyepieces, a 2x Barlow lens, the Sol Ranger viewfinder, and a hard carry case to protect your investment.

    The Coronado SolarMax III 90mm refractor is the largest aperture in the SolarMax III series of telescopes, ideal for viewing stunningly high resolution details of our nearest star. Lightweight, compact, and includes a sturdy hard shelled carrying case with foam interior — allowing you to take this hydrogen-alpha (H-α) telescope anywhere in the world with you, whether it be your own backyard or chasing down the next great solar eclipse!

    Designed and Manufactured in North America. The Coronado SolarMax III 90mm lens blanks are manufactured in the USA for Meade.

    The heart of the SolarMax III 90mm is the large external front 90mm air-spaced etalon which allows viewing of the most stunning part of the solar spectrum — Hydrogen-alpha light (6562.8 Angstroms), which is where many of the beautiful features of the solar disk and atmosphere radiate best. And with a bandpass of <0.7 Angstroms (Å), contrast is exceptional for seeing prominences spilling off the edge of the solar disk, as well as many surface features including sunspots, filaments, active flare regions, plages and surface granulation.

    An integral part of making this system safe for solar viewing is the 15mm blocking filter (BF15), located inside the diagonal holder below the eyepiece. It consists of multiple internal filters such as the Induced Transmission Filter (ITF), Long Wave Pass filter (LWP), and H-a cut-off filter. All BF15s use a 15mm clear aperture H-a cutoff filter which provides a fully unvignetted image with the included eyepieces. Compared with the smaller BF10 on the 70mm Coronado telescopes, this BF15 provides an even larger unvignetted area — useful when viewing features with higher magnification or imaging with larger camera sensors. The BF15 will accept any 1.25" eyepiece or imaging equipment with t-thread. The SolarMax III 90 features an 800mm focal length (f/8.9) refractor doublet lens with 90mm aperture yielding a clean, high contrast image across the field of view.

    Tuning the image of the sun for the best contrast is made possible with Coronado's patented RichView tuning technology, which adjusts the distance between the parallel glass plates of the external etalon in order to achieve the perfect wavelength bandpass for the feature you are observing, all while maintaining precise optical alignment. This patented technology provides additional etalon tuning range and also allows the SolarMax III to be used at high altitude observing locations. The RichView system simply allows for better control over your H-a bandpass window. In addition to RichView tuning, the included T-Max Tuner allows you to tune in the brightest image and remove any reflections from the image. Combined, the RichView and T-Max together offer unparalleled image tuning to get the best possible view of solar details!

    Solar Disk Detail Image

    The Sun in hydrogen-alpha light showing some of the different features visible around the solar disk.

    The telescope includes a backlash free 2" dual-speed rack & pinion focuser with course and fine focus (10:1 reduction) and a Sol Ranger Solar Finder, which is a quick and easy way to aim at the sun. Optical accessories that come standard with the SolarMax III 90mm include 25mm, 18mm, and 12mm CEMAX eyepieces, and the CEMAX 2x 1.25" Barlow. Also included is a Vixen-style dovetail mounting rail and an all-new black and silver aluminum hard carry case (Dimensions: 26.5" x 8.66" x 8.66").

    Coronado assures that all solar filters and solar telescopes are tested at specialized labs that are accredited to verify compliance with the ISO 12312-2 safety specifications for solar viewing.

    Warranty

    Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for five years from date of purchase. This warranty is provided by Meade for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact Meade at 800-626-3233.

    Product Support

    Visit our product support section for instruction manuals and more

  • Specs
    • Best for viewing:
      Solar
    • User level:
      Advanced
    • Optical design:
      Refractor
    • Optical diameter:
      90mm
    • Focal length:
      800mm
    • Focal ratio:
      f/8.9
    • Coatings:
      Fully multi-coated
    • Eyepieces:
      Cemax 25.0mm (1.25")
    • Magnification with included eyepieces:
      32x, 67x
    • Resolving power:
      1.28arc*sec
    • Lowest useful magnification:
      13x
    • Highest useful magnification:
      180x
    • Highest theoretical magnification:
      180x
    • Limiting stellar magnitude:
      12.4
    • Optical quality:
      Diffraction limited
    • Finder scope:
      Sol Ranger
    • Focuser:
      2" dual-speed Rack-and-pinion
    • Diagonal degrees:
      1.25" 90° Blocking Filter Blocking Filter
    • Mount type:
      Optical Tube without Mount
    • Tube material:
      Aluminum
    • Additional included accessories:
      12mm, 18mm, 25mm Cemax eyepieces, Cemax 2x Barlow, BF15 blocking filter, Vixen Dovetail mounting rail, hard carry case
    • Other features:
      Double-stacked etalons for 0.5 angstrom bandpass, Dual-speed focuser
    • Warranty:
      Five year
    • T-max Tuner:
      Yes
  • Important Shipping Information

    When an item is not in-stock we will ship it as soon as it becomes available. Typically in-stock items will ship first and backordered items will follow as soon as they are available.

    A per-item shipping charge (in addition to the standard shipping and handling charge) applies to this product due to its size and weight. This charge varies based on the shipping method.

    Standard Delivery: $0.00

    Standard Delivery to Canada: $95.00
    3 Day Delivery: $185.00
    2 Day Delivery: $185.00
    Next Day Delivery: $220.00

    SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS APPLY FOR THIS PRODUCT

    This product is available to ship Standard delivery US except for delivery to Alaska and Hawaii. Delivery is not available to US territories/protectorates or APO/DPO/FPO addresses. Delivery is available to Canada.